Derek and Hayley Hough are taking center stage in a new and profound way. The couple has been meticulously documenting the past year, which began with Hayley undergoing an emergency craniotomy last December to address a burst blood vessel. "We have a lot to share, actually," Derek, 39, exclusively told The Post at 'Dancing With the Stars' on Tuesday. "So that [tonight] was just the start of unveiling a bit more about our story. But we've actually documented the entire year and the whole process in detail. That wasn't really planned. It just sort of started happening. Our friends started filming, and it became something beautiful. And so we're excited that after tonight, we begin to tell more of the story, to share the rest of the story eventually. It's remarkable. This woman is remarkable."
A year after her medical emergency, Hayley marked her return to the ballroom with an emotional performance alongside her husband. The two received a standing ovation after dancing to Benson Boone's 'Beautiful Things' on Tuesday night. "It's always incredible to perform with him, but it's even more powerful now after going through such a traumatic experience," Hayley said. "And I'm just grateful to always be able to be out on stage with him and being back in the ballroom especially. This is such a special place to both of us. And to go from a time where I didn't even know if it would be possible for me to be dancing here ever again and just to be here tonight is truly so special."
Derek went on to open up about the aftermath of the harrowing incident, which occurred during their 'Symphony of Dance' tour stop in Washington D.C. "The doctors told me this, and very seriously, like, she really might not survive. It was that bad. And again, we'll go more into detail about that, but then they told me that she's not going to be the same," Derek told the Post. "They pretty much told me that I lost her. So then you fast forward to this moment, so not just to see her here, then to be dancing the way she's dancing tonight in front of all these people in the place that's so special to us. I mean, it's really beautiful."
After such a traumatic experience, Hayley saw her husband, whom she tied the knot with in 2023, in a new light. "Just seeing him in a nurturing position, it was truly so beautiful because he was my caretaker for months post-op," she revealed. "And it was just so beautiful. And it made me appreciate and love him even more. And I'm so grateful for everything he did to support me through this because I wouldn't be here without him."
And Derek couldn't be prouder of his other half. "I knew she was strong but I had no idea how strong," he gushed. "She always had a smile on her face. She had this amazing ability to stay present and stay in the moment, which really helped all of us. We were always so concerned and worried about what happened, the future. And she just was like, 'Look at that sun, look at that flower.' She was in the moment and — wow. She was an amazing example for all of us."
As for what's also next for the dancing duo? "We're going on tour," exclaimed the 'DWTS' judge. "It's actually a holiday tour. So it's a season of miracles and giving back and gratitude. And we just can't wait to give back to the amazing audiences that have shown us so much love. And the show has already turned out to be one of the most incredible shows we've ever put on. Graphically, the music, the costumes, it's going to be incredible."
