Derek Hough contributed $12.8 million to renovate orphanages across the United States.

Derek Hough contributed $12.8 million to renovate orphanages across the United States.

 

A $12.8 million donation from Derek Hough is funding the renovation of American orphanages.

 

Derek Hough Says Dancing with the Stars Allowed Him to Be Seen as ‘an Artistic Athlete’ After Years of Being Bullied as a Kid

 

For many, Derek Hough is the epitome of grace, strength, and creativity—a dancer who moves with power and precision on stage and screen.

But long before he was a six-time Dancing with the Stars champion, an Emmy-winning choreographer, and a judge on the very show that launched him to national stardom, Hough was a kid who was bullied for being different.

Now, years later, he reflects on how Dancing with the Stars didn’t just offer him a platform—it gave him a powerful redefinition of his identity: “an artistic athlete.”

A Rough Start: Bullying and the Stigma Around Dance

Growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah, Derek Hough didn’t have the easiest childhood.

As a boy drawn to the world of dance, he stood out in an environment where athleticism was often measured by how hard you could throw a football or how fast you could run a mile.

Hough was artistic, expressive, and passionate about a form of movement that many didn’t understand—or worse, mocked.

He’s been open about being bullied in school, taunted for being a dancer and for not fitting into the typical mold of masculinity.

“It wasn’t easy being a boy who danced,” Hough has said in multiple interviews.

“There’s a stigma that you have to fight constantly. Other kids made fun of me, called me names, and questioned my masculinity.”

This experience deeply impacted him. But instead of quitting, Hough doubled down on his love for dance, channeling his emotions into movement.

At the age of 12, he moved to London to study under the guidance of Shirley and Corky Ballas, renowned dance coaches.

It was there that he began honing not only his technical skills but also the resilience and focus that would later define his career.

A Turning Point: Dancing with the Stars

When Hough joined Dancing with the Stars in 2007, he brought with him years of international competition experience and a relentless work ethic.

But what audiences saw for the first time was a young man who wasn’t just a dancer—he was a performer, a storyteller, and an athlete.

Paired with celebrities of varying skill levels, Hough consistently delivered stunning routines that blended ballroom tradition with innovative choreography.

“I felt like I was finally being seen,” he shared in a recent interview. “People weren’t just watching me dance—they were seeing the athleticism, the strength, the emotion behind every movement.”

For Hough, the show allowed him to shed the label of “just a dancer” and step into a new identity: that of an artistic athlete.

He emphasized that dance, often dismissed or underestimated in the world of sports, is a physically and mentally demanding discipline.

“It takes just as much stamina, discipline, and grit as any traditional sport,” he explained.

“You’re using your body in incredibly precise ways, but you’re also telling a story. It’s art in motion.”

Rewriting the Narrative Around Dance and Masculinity

Hough’s journey on DWTS coincided with a broader cultural shift in how people perceive male dancers.

For decades, dance had been typecast in popular media as a feminine pursuit, often overshadowing the raw athleticism and discipline it requires.

But performers like Hough helped challenge those assumptions.

Each week, millions of viewers watched him execute high-flying lifts, split-second spins, and emotionally charged performances that could rival any Olympic gymnast or professional athlete in terms of physical demand.

His routines were athletic, but they were also deeply artistic—crafted with emotion, intention, and storytelling at their core.

More than just winning mirrorball trophies, Hough was helping rewrite the script.

“I wanted boys watching to know that dancing is not only okay, it’s powerful,” he said.

“You can be masculine, strong, and still express emotion through movement. That’s what makes it special.”

Awards, Recognition, and a Bigger Purpose

Over his time on DWTS, Hough won six championships and became the show’s most successful professional dancer.

He earned multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Choreography and was later invited back to the show—not as a competitor, but as a judge, bringing his expertise and passion full circle.

But beyond the accolades, what mattered most to Hough was the platform.

He began using his visibility to advocate for dance education, mental health, and the importance of creative expression for kids—especially boys—who might feel pressured to conform.

“There’s a whole generation of kids who might be feeling what I felt growing up—misunderstood, judged, bullied,” he said.

“I want to be an example that you can embrace your uniqueness, and not only survive but thrive.”

Full Circle: Mentorship and Legacy

Now in his late 30s, Derek Hough continues to perform, choreograph, and inspire.

He’s toured across the country with original dance productions, served as a judge on World of Dance, and recently starred in his own Vegas residency, where he fuses contemporary, ballroom, Latin, and theatrical dance into a high-energy spectacle.

As he looks ahead, Hough is also focused on mentorship.

He’s become a guiding force for young dancers looking to break into the industry. “I see myself in so many of them,” he says.

“The nervousness, the passion, the raw potential. I just want to tell them to hold on to that spark and never let anyone dim it.”

His message is clear: Art and athleticism are not mutually exclusive—they’re intertwined.

Dance is not just movement, it’s a powerful form of self-expression that demands as much grit as any sport.

Conclusion

Derek Hough’s evolution from a bullied boy with a dream to a celebrated artistic athlete is a story of perseverance, transformation, and triumph.

Through Dancing with the Stars, he not only found acceptance and acclaim—he helped change how millions view dance and masculinity.

In a world that often demands conformity, Hough has become a beacon for authenticity, proving that true strength lies in embracing who you are, moving to your own rhythm, and dancing—boldly, unapologetically—through life.