Derek Hough said he almost stopped dancing after his wife, Hayley Erbert, suffered a life-threatening brain bleed [1].
The revelation highlights the emotional toll on high-profile performers when facing sudden, severe medical crises that threaten the stability of their personal lives.
Erbert, also a professional dancer, experienced a burst blood vessel that led to the brain bleed [2]. The medical emergency required her to undergo emergency skull surgery in Los Angeles [2]. During the crisis, Hough said the situation was life-threatening [1].
Hough said the severity of the event caused him to reassess his priorities. "I almost stopped dancing after Hayley's brain bleed," Hough said in an interview with ABC News [1]. He noted that the emotional weight of the emergency made him consider leaving the profession he had built his career upon.
Despite the severity of the injury, Erbert began a recovery process that Hough said was an inspiration. He said Erbert has always inspired him with her will, strength, and resilience, particularly during the first 48 hours following the incident [2].
Erbert eventually returned to the dance floor. Hough said she returned to Dancing with the Stars approximately one year after the incident [3]. The couple has since shared updates on her health and recovery progress as she reintegrated into her professional dancing career.
The incident occurred roughly one year before her reported return to the show in November 2024 [3]. Hough's decision to continue dancing followed Erbert's recovery and her own return to the industry.
“"I almost stopped dancing after Hayley's brain bleed."”
This account provides a rare glimpse into the psychological impact of acute medical trauma on professional athletes and performers. By detailing the intersection of a life-threatening health crisis and a high-pressure career, the story illustrates how severe illness can fundamentally shift a person's perceived value of their professional ambitions versus their personal relationships.
