Professional dancers Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert have become first-time parents, welcoming their daughter Everley Capri Hough in an emotional moment they describe as their "rainbow after the storm." The couple, both stars of the hit television show Dancing With The Stars, have faced significant health battles in recent years, making this arrival particularly poignant.
A Journey Marked by Adversity
The road to parenthood has been exceptionally challenging for Hough, 40, and Erbert, 31. Their difficulties began with a serious car accident in 2002 that left Erbert requiring four stitches in her forehead. More recently, in December 2023, Erbert suffered a terrifying medical emergency during their Symphony Of Dance tour in Washington D.C.
"I was on stage, and she's supposed to come out," Hough recalled in a later interview. "The stage manager walked out and just said, 'Hey, she's not coming on stage.' She was on the side of the stage having full seizures and, essentially, dying. It's really hard to even put into words other than just pure fear."
Emergency Brain Surgery and Recovery
Erbert was rushed to hospital where doctors diagnosed a cranial hematoma – a dangerous accumulation of blood between the brain and skull. She underwent an emergency craniectomy, requiring surgeons to remove approximately 40 percent of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain.
"The doctor came to me and he said that, 'She has a severe brain bleed, so we have to operate right now,'" Hough remembered. "He said that she might not make it and that even if she does make it, she won't be the same person."
Weeks later, Erbert required a second procedure – a cranioplasty to replace the removed portion of her skull with an implant. Her recovery involved relearning how to walk and wearing a protective helmet, but her determination saw her return to complete their 70-city tour by May 2024.
The Heartbreak of Miscarriage
Amidst this health crisis, the couple experienced further sorrow with a miscarriage. "Although we are so excited to be welcoming our rainbow baby so soon, we honor our baby that never made it earthside," they shared in October 2024, using the term "rainbow baby" to describe a child born after pregnancy loss.
Erbert reflected on their journey: "We've had so many moments in life that are not as great. So she's our rainbow after the storm." Hough added emotionally: "She's literally this beautiful ray of light."
Welcoming Everley Capri Hough
The couple announced their daughter's arrival on January 5, sharing a black-and-white photograph of the newborn's feet alongside the caption: "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."
Their first public appearance as a family occurred last week, with the couple featuring in a cover story for People magazine where they discussed their emotional journey. "She's been through so much," Hough said of his wife, tearing up. "To see her go from where she was to now, giving birth, is amazing. My daughter has a great example here."
A New Chapter Begins
The birth has transformed how the couple view this time of year, with many of their previous challenges occurring around the same season. "We've had so many moments in life that are not as great," Erbert explained. "So she's our rainbow after the storm."
Hough experienced his first paternal moment away from home when attending the Golden Globes on January 11. When asked if he would attend afterparties, he responded: "I remember saying it out loud for the first time: 'No, no. I'm going straight home to my daughter...and now I got to go because I'm about to cry.'"
Erbert shares similar emotions, confessing: "Literally every time I see Derek and Everley together, I just start crying."
Family and Fan Celebrations
The announcement was met with an outpouring of congratulations from fans and celebrities alike. Hough's sister, fellow dancer Julianne Hough, welcomed her new niece with the message: "Welcome to the world sweet angel Everley," sharing the announcement on her Instagram Stories with the caption "Baby girl has arrived."
The couple had first revealed their pregnancy in July 2024 with a video showing their child's sonogram. Their journey to this point has been documented through social media and television appearances, including a heartfelt recounting of Erbert's health scare on Dancing With The Stars.
Since her recovery, the couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary in August 2024, and now welcome this new chapter as parents. "She's my beautiful miracle," Hough said of his wife during their television appearance, a sentiment that now extends to their newborn daughter.
