Is Derek Hough leaving Dancing with the Stars?
No, Derek Hough is not leaving Dancing with the Stars — not this season, not anytime soon, from the sound of it, unless he suddenly decides to go live in the forest and teach squirrels how to tap dance. I’ll admit, the rumor mill has been spinning overtime, mostly because Derek just landed that splashy new job hosting Extra. Sounds like a pretty packed calendar, right? But relax: DWTS isn’t losing its head judge. He’s sticking around, ready to critique a funky salsa or throw in a surprise performance now and then. That’s what he loves, and the ballroom is still his crazy, neon-lit home.
Honestly, if you’ve watched the show in the past, Derek’s face is as much a fixture as the glitter ball trophy itself. There was one season — I forget which, maybe after Mirror Ball #4? — When my friends made a joke bingo card: "Derek does triple spin," "Derek cries at a foxtrot," "Derek makes a fierce face at Bruno." You get the idea. It’s hard to imagine DWTS without him giving his trademark passionate commentary or randomly busting out a dance mid-episode. The producers get it, too. They’re letting him juggle those two TV worlds: one foot in salsa, one foot in celebrity interviews. If anyone can walk that tightrope, it’s Derek.
Who is Derek Hough, anyway?
Derek Hough is a six-time Mirror Ball champion, Emmy-winning choreographer, TV judge, and occasional actor (fun trivia: he was on Nashville for a hot minute, and popped up in a Disney+ musical show). But what sets him apart? His energy. I mean, the guy brings Red Bull-level vigor every single week. He started as a pro dancer back in 2007, and by the next year, it was like he’d plugged into the show’s main power grid. There’s this easy confidence he carries, sometimes bouncing off the walls — sometimes, when he’s judging, he’ll give this goofy grin and you know he’s genuinely loving the performance, not just playing nice for TV.
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So, is Derek Hough leaving Dancing with the Stars because of his new hosting gig? Not happening. He’ll be hosting Extra starting in September, but come the same month, he’s suiting up to judge season 34 of DWTS. If you tune in expecting the same energy, wit, and genuine love for the show, he’ll be there — one snazzy jacket, one dazzling smile at a time. Hell, maybe he’ll even dance with his dog again. Would anyone really be mad about that?
