Skip to main content

Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough will be pulling double duty as a judge on the ABC dancing competition series and as the headliner of his own Las Vegas residency. As the time grows closer for Hough to tackle this busy and exciting time in his life, he admitted to fans the secret way he will handle the challenge.

Derek Hough performs in a Dancing With the Stars routine.
Derek Hough | Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images

Derek Hough has returned to “Dancing With the Stars” for season 30

For a second season, Hough will judge the celebrity contestants and their professional partners as they attempt to master difficult ballroom techniques for Dancing With the Stars 30th season. This will be his second stint as a full-time judge in the ballroom alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Bruno Tonioli.

Dancing With the Stars helped make Hough one of the most recognizable and acclaimed choreographers in the entertainment industry. He made his first appearance on the series in season 4 as a guest instructor for his sister Julianne Hough and her partner Apolo Anton Ohno. Hough joined the cast of professional instructors in season 5, paired with former Beverly Hills 90210 star Jennie Garth.

During his years on Dancing With the Stars, Hough won a grand total of 6 mirrorball trophies. He is the most decorated and best-known of all the show’s pro dancers.

Derek Hough reveals his secret to juggling “Dancing With the Stars” and headlining a Las Vegas show

Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough on the set of Dancing With the Stars.
Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough | Eric McCandless via Getty Images

Beginning Sept. 22, Hough will star in his own Las Vegas residency. He will headline Derek Hough: No Limit at The Venetian with shows scheduled through Nov. 21. Fans will enjoy a journey through a fusion of dance styles and music. Hough will explore dance styles ranging from ballroom, tap, salsa, hip-hop, and everything in between.

Dancing With the Stars airs their live shows beginning Sept. 20. His show will run consecutively with filming for the entire season of the ABC series.

In the comments section of a Facebook post where he shared news of his residency, fans questioned Hough how he planned to juggle this demanding schedule.

He wrote, “I’ll be flying back and forth” in response to a fan who commented on the professional demands he will face.

Derek Hough says “I’m definitely ready” for the challenges ahead

Derek Hough smiles for the camera in an ABC publicity photo.
Derek Hough | ABC/Laretta Houston
Related

‘Dancing With the Stars’: This ‘Bachelor’ Star Reportedly Signed on for Season 30

As he faces one of the busiest professional seasons of his life, Hough claimed “I’m definitely ready” for the challenges ahead in an interview with ABC7. “I’m definitely ready, though, to do what I do and do what I do best: perform live on stage, you know, with an audience. So, I cannot wait–cannot wait!” said Hough.

Hough was nominated for two Emmy Awards for a pair of routines he choreographed for season 29 of Dancing With the Stars. One was a paso doble to “Uccen” and a tap dance to “Let’s Fall in Love for the Night.” 

“To be nominated twice, you know, in the same category, it’s amazing,” said Hough. “For me, last year, my focus was just to bring joy and entertainment, you know, during this time and to have some fun.”

If he wins both, Hough will be the most celebrated choreographer in Emmy history. To date, no choreographer has won more than 3 trophies.

Dancing With the Stars airs beginning Monday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.

Best in Entertainment