Hayley Erbert is an American dancer best known for her work on So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With the Stars, and her performances with husband Derek Hough. Her public story now extends beyond dance, covering marriage, recovery after a serious medical emergency, touring, and motherhood. In 2026, Hayley Erbert remains active professionally while embracing a new chapter with her family.
Who Is Hayley Erbert?
Born October 11, 1994, in Topeka, Kansas, Erbert developed an interest in dance at a young age and trained extensively before pursuing opportunities in television and live performance. Her specialty is contemporary dance, although her career has included a range of styles.
She became widely known after competing on Season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance in 2013. She reached the Top 6, giving audiences an early look at the performance ability that would later define her professional career.
Her television exposure eventually led to work with Derek Hough and other major dance productions. She later became part of the Dancing With the Stars troupe, where she performed for several seasons.
Hayley Erbert’s Dance Career
Dance has remained the central thread of Hayley Erbert’s professional life. Her So You Think You Can Dance appearance introduced her to a national audience, while subsequent touring and television work expanded her experience.
She toured with Derek and Julianne Hough during Move Live on Tour before joining the Dancing With the Stars troupe. Her background in contemporary dance became especially noticeable in performances that combined technical movement with emotional storytelling.
Her partnership with Derek eventually developed both professionally and personally. The two have continued performing together through projects including their Symphony of Dance tour.
| Career milestone | Period | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| So You Think You Can Dance | 2013 | Reached the Top 6 |
| Move Live on Tour | 2014–2015 | Performed with Derek and Julianne Hough |
| Dancing With the Stars troupe | Multiple seasons | Expanded television performance career |
| Marriage to Derek Hough | 2023 | Began a new personal chapter |
| Symphony of Dance | 2024 onward | Returned to touring and live performance |
Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough
The relationship between Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough developed after they met through the dance world. Their professional connection gradually became a personal relationship, and they announced their engagement in June 2022.
The couple married on August 26, 2023, in California. Their wedding came after years of performing and working together, making their relationship familiar to many dance and television audiences.
Only a few months after their wedding, their lives changed dramatically when Erbert experienced a serious medical emergency.
Hayley Erbert’s Health Journey
In December 2023, Erbert underwent emergency brain surgery after suffering a cranial hematoma caused by a burst blood vessel. Derek publicly discussed the seriousness of the situation, while Erbert later shared aspects of her recovery with her audience.
Following treatment and rehabilitation, she received medical clearance to return to performing. She and Hough resumed their Symphony of Dance tour in April 2024. In October that year, she returned to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom for an emotional performance with her husband.
By June 2026, Erbert was publicly discussing her health again and told E! News that she was doing well and feeling strong more than two years after the surgery. Her own updates have emphasized recovery and moving forward rather than allowing the medical emergency to define her entire career.
💡 Pro Tip: When reading celebrity health stories, distinguish between information shared directly by the person and speculation from social media or secondary reports. Personal updates provide the clearest indication of what someone has actually chosen to disclose.
Marriage, Motherhood and Family Life
Family became an even bigger part of Erbert’s story in 2025. In July, she and Hough announced that they were expecting a baby. The couple later welcomed their daughter, Everley Capri Hough, on December 29, 2025.
The arrival of Everley marked a major transition for the couple, who had spent much of their relationship performing and touring together. Their first year as parents has also coincided with continued professional commitments.
In 2026, Erbert and Hough have continued balancing family life with dance. Recent coverage has highlighted their experience traveling and performing while raising their daughter, giving fans a different view of their lives away from the ballroom.
Is Hayley Erbert Still Dancing?
Yes. Hayley Erbert continues to perform and has remained involved in dance projects with Derek Hough. Her return to the stage after her 2023 medical emergency was an important professional milestone.
The couple’s Symphony of Dance work has also given them a way to continue performing together outside the regular Dancing With the Stars competition format. In 2026, their work includes performances connected to their ongoing touring and entertainment projects.
Her career is therefore not limited to her earlier television appearances. Contemporary dance, live performance, choreography-related work, television, and touring have all contributed to her public career.
📌 Key Takeaway: Hayley Erbert’s career has developed from competitive dance and television into live touring, collaborative performances, and a broader public life alongside Derek Hough. Her 2023 health emergency became a major turning point, but her subsequent return to performance and transition into motherhood have added new chapters to her story.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Hayley Erbert?
Hayley Erbert was born on October 11, 1994. She is 31 years old as of September 2026.
What is Hayley Erbert known for?
She is known for competing on So You Think You Can Dance, performing with the Dancing With the Stars troupe, touring with Derek Hough, and appearing in dance productions with her husband.
Who is Hayley Erbert married to?
Hayley Erbert is married to professional dancer and Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough. They married on August 26, 2023.
What happened to Hayley Erbert in 2023?
In December 2023, Erbert experienced a serious medical emergency involving a cranial hematoma and underwent emergency brain surgery. She later recovered sufficiently to return to professional dancing.
Does Hayley Erbert have children?
Yes. Erbert and Derek Hough welcomed their daughter, Everley Capri Hough, on December 29, 2025.
Conclusion
Hayley Erbert’s journey from a young dancer in Kansas to a television performer and touring artist has included several significant career milestones. Her relationship and marriage to Derek Hough brought another dimension to her public profile, while her serious health emergency in 2023 marked an unexpected interruption to her professional life.
Her return to performance, continued work with Hough, and the birth of their daughter in late 2025 have shaped her latest chapter. In 2026, Hayley Erbert remains connected to dance while balancing a growing family and an evolving career.
