Derek Hough looks forward to 'new chapter'
TV star Derek Hough is excited to see what 2026 might bring.
Derek Hough and his wife Hayley are looking forward to a "new chapter" in their lives.
The 40-year-old star and Hayley are spending time together at home, following a record-breaking season of Dancing With the Stars in 2025, and Derek feels he has a lot to look forward to in 2026.
The dancer - whose daughter, Everley, was born in December - told Us Weekly: "I just feel so thankful for health and for this blessing and for this new chapter.
"This new year is going to be filled with lots of new experiences and amplified experiences because I think that’s what love does. Even marriage — being in a relationship with your loved one – I can go do something and have an amazing experience, but when I go do something with somebody that I love, it just amplifies that experience."
Derek also revealed that he's open to judging two seasons of Dancing With the Stars per year.
He said: "I’m down for it. I will say, though, I do think that we found a nice sweet spot.
"There’s a new formula, if you will, and even just in the casting and the energy of the show and the build-up to the show as well, because it really feels like an event. It’s like, ‘OK, this is the event. This is the fall event. This is must-see’ and it’s amazing. But, of course. Hey, I’m definitely down for two seasons a year."
Meanwhile, Derek and Hayley announced the arrival of their baby girl earlier this month.
In a joint Instagram post, the couple shared a sweet black-and-white photo of their hands cupped around their daughter's tiny feet.
They captioned the image: "December 29, 2025. Everley Capri Hough. Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open and our world is forever changed."
The upload from Derek and Hayley - who previously experienced a miscarriage - sparked thousands of congratulatory messages from their loved ones in the post's comments section.
Julianne Hough, Derek's sister, also offered her congratulations to the celebrity duo.
She said: "Welcome to the world sweet angel Everley."
