Derek Hough Hopes for an All-Winners Season of ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ Reflects on Setting Emmys Record

Derek Hough is on a roll literally and figuratively. From prepping for his Symphony of Dance tour, getting ready to judge the 32nd season of Dancing With the Stars and planning a wedding with his fianc Hayley Erbert, youd think the Emmy-award-winning choreographer would run out of steam at some point.

I think that momentum is so powerful I thrive with momentum, says Hough. It gives me more ideas, energy, inspiration and motivation. Everything feeds into each other; it amplifies. If you need something done, give it to somebody thats busy.

Fresh off his 13th Emmy nomination, Hough reflects on what earned him that accolade a dance routine to Higher, which was performed live by singer Michael Bubl during Season 31 of Dancing With the Stars.

Theres a lot in this number different elements, styles and usage of the whole space. For me, that was the first thing: How do I use this space? he says, revealing that he wanted to make use of the capacity of the shows set to create the grandiose group number that featured a slew of professional dancers and Bubl himself. It was utilizing this new stage area to the skybox and garage. I played with different camera angles, making sure that things werent flat. This was the first time Ive danced with all the pros in seven years.

Hough now holds the title for the most Emmy nominations for choreography, a feat he grasps the weight of. It makes me really reflect on my journey through dance, and how its the gift that keeps on giving, says Hough, who was a pro dancer on 17 seasons of the reality competition series before becoming a judge full-time in Season 29. I never set out to be a choreographer, it was something I just sort of became with different opportunities.

In the early stages of his career, Houghs fear was his kryptonite. Reflecting on my journey, its really wild to think about how scared and fearful I was to choreograph, he says.

So, how did he overcome this trepidation?

I believe that gratitude is the antidote to fear. You cant be grateful and fearful at the same time, he says. The second youre grateful, its like the fear just dissipates. He adds that being present in a moment of gratitude is a proven tactic hes practiced throughout his life an offering he provides to anyone apprehensive about chasing a dream.

You dont have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great, says Hough. You have to fake it and figure it out, and then eventually, you start believing in what youre doing.

Bubl performed the number as a sideline to the artistry created by Houghs choreography.

I told him, This is going to be more of a dance piece versus an artist piece with dancers in the background, explains Hough. At the center of the composition is Erbert, a mentor on Dancing With the Stars: Junior and a past troupe member of the mainstay series.

As for his upcoming nuptials with Erbert, The wedding thats a whole production in and of itself, laughs Hough. It feels like were planning two tours, two shows!

All but two of Houghs 13 Emmy nominations come from numbers showcased on Dancing With the Stars, which hes won six times with six different celeb partners. The shows forthcoming season is the first since the judge Len Goodman passed away, and Houghs first from the other side of the dance floor.

Having the passing of our dear friend and colleague Len and just being there to honor him is definitely my focus, Hough says.

The show is sashaying back to its home at ABC after being solely available on Disney+ in its 31st season.

Thats not the only evident shift in the ballroom, though, as audiences will see the addition (or reinstatement) of Houghs sister, Julianne, to its permanent cast. Julianne has also won the competition twice with star partners, was a guest judge in 2013 and then became a permanent judge from 2014 to 2017. Shell now serve as a co-host alongside Season 19 winner Alfonso Ribeiro.

Jules is such an important part of the show. She was there from the early years and [became] the first double champ. She really set a standard early on, Hough explains. She can speak from the experience of being on the show [as a pro and judge]. Shes going to add a lot of value. Its gonna be fantastic.

Like many reality TV series, Dancing With the Stars has also seen success with the all-star format, which invites former contestants to compete again for the Mirrorball trophy.

When I did the all-star season with Shawn Johnson, we ended up coming in second, says Hough. That was honestly one of my favorite seasons, and I was so devastated. A way to tap into that glory? A potential second all-stars season, to which Hough wishes to enlist some of the OGs like Season 3 runner-up Mario Lopez or his Season 18 partner Amy Purdy.

One format foreign to the series that Hough thinks would offer a fantastic shakeup would feature a cast full of Mirrorball winners think Survivor: Winners at War or RuPauls Drag Race All Stars Season 7. I think that itd be a really, really competitive season, says Hough.

He divulges that he assumes there have been conversations about an all-winners season of Dancing With the Stars, but isnt sure how serious theyve been.

When asked to assemble his own cast for a fantasy all-winners season, Hough names his former partners Bindi Irwin and Nicole Scherzinger. I think Rashad Jennings would love to come back, adds Hough. Donny Osmond, I know hed probably love to come back too. Even Jordan Fisher, who was fantastic.

Could Hough see host and Mirrorball champion Ribeiro throw on his dancing shoes once more for the chance to become the series first celebrity double champion? No, not now, he affirms. Alfonsos a host now, so he cant come back!

What about Hough himself? Could he see himself giving up his score paddles to usher another celebrity into the winners circle? I feel like Ive done that: I really squeezed the juice out of that you, if you will, says Hough. I love being a judge.

I never say never because at the end of the day, I love to entertain, I love to perform and if it is something that audiences wants to see Hough trails off.

Never say never.