Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough.Photo:The Walt Disney Company via Getty
The Walt Disney Company via Getty
Derek Houghis reflecting on his “surreal”Emmywin.
TheDancing with the Starsjudge, 38, spoke onThe Jennifer Hudson Showon Monday about his “crazy” experiencereceiving a Creative Arts Emmy Awardin January amid his wifeHayley Erbert’s recovery frombrain surgery.
“It was kind of crazy too because it was such a difficult time in December, to then exactly a month be on stage accepting such a prestigious award in choreography, it was crazy,” Hough said on the show.
“It was a really wild, kind of surreal experience being in a hospital room for a month and then in front of thousands of people accepting something like that. It was a lot of ups and downs like I said before. It’s been wild.”
Hough won the Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding choreography for variety or reality programming forDancing with the Starslast month. While accepting his award, he gave an emotional speech in honor of his wife, 29, after hercraniectomyshe had weeks prior in December.
“Exactly a month ago, I was in the hospital. This was a different moment,” Hough said tearfully at the time. “A month ago was a life-changing moment that reminded me to really cherish and savor every moment.”
He continued, “I want to dedicate this to my beautiful wife. I just flew in from Washington, D.C., last night. Your strength and your courage this whole month has been unbelievable. You inspired me every day.”
Derek Hough shared an update on his wife’s recovery during an appearance on ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’.Chris Millard/Warner Bros.
Chris Millard/Warner Bros.
During his chat with hostJennifer Hudsonon Monday, Hough also gave an update on Erbert’s recovery progress since her surgeries. “She is doing amazing. She is an absolute miracle, miraculous,” he shared.
“It’s been a rollercoaster, it’s been wild, but I just have to say again thank you for everyone who has been so supportive and so loving,” Hough added. “It really truly means the world to us all, it really does, my wife and I, so thank you guys.”
On Dec, 7, 2023, Erbert underwent an"emergency craniectomy” after she suffered a cranial hematoma, which is a collection of blood cells within the skull, while on the pair’s Symphony of Dance tour stop in Washington, D.C.
Hough called winning an Emmy amid his wife’s recovery “surreal”.Chris Millard/Warner Bros.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Erbert had a second surgeryon Dec. 20 to “replace a large portion of her skull” that was removed during the craniectomy. The surgeries took place a just months after Hough and Erberttied the knotin August 2023.
Erbert explained in the clip that she wanted a day focused on “intention,” being grateful," and “spending time with my husband,” amid her ongoing recovery from the surgeries.
source: people.com
