Will Derek Hough’s New Gig Conflict With ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Return?
Derek Hough continues to further his career with projects that have piggybacked on his success as a choreographer and professional dancer. The six-time Dancing with the Stars mirrorball winner and three-time Emmy Award winner starred in his own successful Las Vegas show in 2021. This revue fused dance styles ranging from ballroom, tap, salsa, hip-hop, and everything in between. However, it appears that Hough’s planned return to the Las Vegas stage may cause a conflict with his judging duties this fall for DWTS 31st season. Will he be able to do both?
Derek Hough will return to the Las Vegas stage in May 2022
Almost one year ago, Hough first announced his Las Vegas residency. However, he appeared to be more than up to the challenge of both promoting and performing in his Derek Hough: No Limit show.
In a July 2021 interview with ABC7, Hough said, “I’m ready, though, to do what I do and do what I do best: perform live on stage, you know, with an audience.”
“Motown, rock and roll, Latin, ballroom, the classics, new music. I mean, it’s going to be just something for everybody,” said Hough, who will helm the show alongside longtime girlfriend, Haley Erbert.
What will Derek Hough’s Las Vegas residency mean for his return to ‘Dancing with the Stars’?
The choreographer took to Instagram to share the dates he would appear in Sin City.
Hough posted he will star in the second run of his residency at the Venetian Las Vegas beginning in May 2022, with dates running through September.
However, there is the possibility that Hough could add extra dates due to high audience demand. Therefore, Hough would likely find himself in the middle of a demanding schedule that would include flying back and forth between Nevada and California throughout the week.
Also in flux is his return to the dance competition series as ABC has not yet announced whether or not Dancing with the Stars would return for its 31st season. This scheduling announcement typically takes place in the summer.
However, as the show remains a fan favorite, there is a distinct possibility the ballroom dance series will return for yet another season of competition on ABC. As a result, Hough will likely return, taking his seat alongside fellow judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli.
How did he make this similarly tough schedule work in 2021?
Moreover, in the comments section of a Sept. 2021 Facebook post where Hough first shared news of his residency, fans questioned the professional dancer about how he planned to juggle his Las Vegas show and Dancing with the Stars judging duties.
He subsequently wrote, “I’ll be flying back and forth,” in response to a fan who commented on the professional demands he will face.
Dancing with the Stars is currently on hiatus.
