Derek Hough is opening up about deeply disturbing experiences from his childhood, recalling years of bullying that included multiple violent incidents.
The 41-year-old “Dancing With the Stars” pro shared the details during a recent appearance on The Bossticks podcast, where he spoke candidly about struggling to fit in while growing up and feeling like an outsider at school.
Hough explained that being a dancer made him a target, describing repeated physical attacks from classmates. He recalled one incident where a student punched him in the face, leaving him bleeding, before things escalated further when he fought back and was ultimately expelled.
The dancer also shared even more harrowing memories from his neighborhood, where he says he was subjected to extreme abuse by other kids. He described being hung from a tree, tied up in a field, and at one point having a gun held to his head—experiences he says left him terrified and deeply shaken.
Hough added that the trauma followed him into his childhood, contributing to nightmares and ongoing fear during that period of his life. “I was a scared kid,” he said, reflecting on how constantly on edge he felt growing up.
At around age 12, Hough moved to London to pursue professional dance training, a shift he says brought him a sense of direction and safety for the first time. He described the change as a turning point that helped him find focus, purpose, and clarity after years of instability.
The Emmy-winning performer has previously spoken about being bullied, and in recent years has reflected on how those experiences shaped his outlook on life—especially as he stepped into fatherhood with wife Hayley Erbert.
Hough and Erbert, who married in 2023, recently welcomed their daughter, marking a new chapter for the family following years that also included serious health challenges and personal losses.#newsafro_
