“Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer and Season 34 judge Derek Hough has shown a vulnerable side to himself recently as he bravely revealed the childhood bullying he has endured and the tremendous impact it had on him, and, more recently, he has opened up about his loss.
Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert, are expecting their first child, and they could not be happier. Fans have loved witnessing their pregnancy journey, which the couple has chosen to share publicly, but many people would not have realized that this is their rainbow baby. The couple is opening up about a miscarriage that happened before this pregnancy and how they are navigating their emotions going into this new chapter of their life.
Stars unpack power dynamics in Luca Guadagnino’s ‘After the Hunt’
They posted a joint video on Instagram on October 15. In the video, the text reads, “Although we are so excited to be welcoming our rainbow baby so soon, we honor our baby that never made it Earthside.”
“There are some things in life that change you forever. For us, this is one of those things,” the caption of the joint post between Erbert and Hough reads. “A chapter of love, loss, heartbreak, and everything in between. As we are now in October, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we share this part of our story to honor our baby that never made it earthside. One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, a silent heartbreak so many families know, and one we unfortunately had to experience. As we share this, know that there’s a rainbow not far behind.”
This is something Hough and Erbert had not spoken about publicly before, but doing so now helps to raise awareness for miscarriage. It may also be of some solace to those going through similar experiences.
Fans have flooded the comment section with messages of support, but one of the messages that stands out is one from Hough’s sister, professional dancer and DWTS co-host, Julianne Hough.
“Witnessing your journey and how you have moved through each life-changing moment in the last few years has been the greatest testament of resilience and the power of love – I’m forever in awe of your strength and vulnerability in loving completely! I love you so much,” Julianne commented on the post. Her comment has been liked over 2,000 times from fans who are showing their support for her message.
Witney Carson has forever sashayed her way into Alfonso Ribeiro’s heart.
The Dancing With the Stars co-host looked especially moved when Witney and her partner Robert Irwin took home the famed Mirrorball Trophy during the show’s season 34 finale—11 years after Witney and Alfonso won the award.
The former teammates shared a sweet moment after Witney and Robert accepted their win, as Alfonso could be seen embracing Witney in a video she shared to TikTok Nov. 26 and telling her, “I love you.”
It was also a moving experience for Witney herself, as the 32-year-old wrote in the caption, “It was exactly this day 11 years ago that I won my first mirrorball with Alfonso… and tonight, he handed me my second.”
The dancing pro added, “Every high, every low, every tough loss, every season that stretched and refined me, it all led here. Getting to share this win with someone like Robert means more than I could ever express.”
Witney also thanked her husband Carson McAllister and their children Kevin, 4, and Jet, 2, for their support, writing, “I’ll truly cherish this moment forever.”
Another DWTS family member elated by her triumph this season? Alfonso’s wife Angela Unkrich.
Witney Carson/TikTok
“My heart is bursting for you both,” she wrote in a Nov. 26 Instagram post alongside several snaps of Alfonso, Witney and Robert from the finale. “Your journey together has been so special to watch from day one.”
And Angela—who shares kids Alfonso Jr., 12, Anders, 10, and Ava, 6, with Alfonso—gave a special shoutout to Witney, saying, “I love you so much and I’m so proud of everything you brought this season as a dancer, a mother, a wife, and a friend.”
“Your heart, creativity, and magic shined as brightly as ever,” she continued. “You are extraordinary.”
Since meeting during season 19 of DWTS in 2014, Alfonso and Witney have maintained a close bond.
Adam Taylor/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images
“We talk behind the scenes a lot,” he shared on Danielle Fishel’s Danielle With… podcast Nov. 21. “I am a life mentor to her in many ways. And my wife Angela is even more of a life mentor for her.”
The 54-year-old added, “On a personal level, it’s incredible to watch the growth of that little girl that I met 12 years ago. She was a baby, literally.”
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum went on to praise Witney—who was only 21 when they competed—and “her brilliance on the floor” each week, noting that he’s seen a spark reignite in her while dancing with Robert, which he believes she lost after missing out on the Mirrorball Trophy with partner Milo Manheim in 2018.
“I’m watching her give in a different way that she’s done over the last several years of herself,” he shared, “and open up and allow people in.”
