Derek Hough in blue suede shoes at the DWTS studio on Thursday

Derek Hough's Reveals Why Michael Bublé Night On DWTS Was 'Really Special'

Home / Entertainment / Derek Hough's Reveals Why Michael Bublé Night On DWTS Was 'Really Special'

By Russ Weakland on October 25, 2022 at 10:30 AM EDT
Updated on October 25, 2022 at 12:19 PM EDT

Dancing with the Stars legend and current judge Derek Hough had a big night on the show last night, and it is all thanks to Michael Bublé.

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Derek Hough Performed With Fiancé On DWTS For Michael Bublé Night

Derek Hough
DWTS

Fun week for the Dancing with the Stars ballroom as Michael Bublé was the a guest judge for the remaining 10 couples who looked forward to gain an extra step towards the Mirrorball Trophy. The Grammy Award winning singer had his own themed episode as ''Michael Bublé Night'' took over things on Disney+. And to add to the festivities, Bublé's friend, Derek Hough put together his own dance with his fiancé Hayley Erbert and the other pro dancers to Bublé's new hit song "Higher".

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Hough spoke to The Blast and other reporters backstage and filled us in on why this was such a moment even if at first there were a few struggles telling us, "You know, honestly, I had major choreographers black for a few weeks. I was thinking about it and they're like, "Hey Derek, what's the creative, what's the idea?" And I was like, guys, "I got nothing." I literally, I was like. Everything I thought about I didn't like, and I think I choreographed it like three different times. And then I was like, "Didn't like that", threw it away, worked on it, threw that away. And then eventually I got to a place where I was like, "OK, OK, I like this. I like this, this momentum and where it's going and the flow and the pictures and the, the tone and mood." But again, you know, performing with Michael, for Michael and of course with my dear fiance, Haley, it was such a, it's such a a dream, it really is. It's like a pinch me moment where I'm like. "How am I friends with this guy? I'm a fan of this guy. I'm dancing with the love of my life. I dance with all the pros that you haven't danced each other in years. It's like a beautiful moment." That's why I wanted that moment where we all came down charging down together as like this unit, as this team. And that was really special. It was really, the whole night was real special."

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And it was special but the fact that this hasn't happened already is a bit of a miracle as Hough touched on how perfect Bublé's music is and has been for Dancing with the Stars and why it works so well as he continued, "Yeah, it's funny. But when I met him, I literally was like, “Dude, thank you for your music. Because as ballroom dancers, you are our savior. We’re like, “We need to find some music. Well, what's Bublé got?” And he's like, “Oh, a winner. That's phenomenal.” So, you already know that that tonight every single song is going to be incredible. He's going to be a guest judge, but I'll be wondering if he's going to be judging the dancing or whoever singing his song. It could be like, “Ugh or, you sing that better than I did or that was, yeah.”

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Derek who is clearly an accomplished dancer and performer in his own right that no one would ever deny has also been called the modern day Fred Astaire, especially from his friend and guest judge Michael Bublé. So the performance took on even an extra importance because Hough wanted to really knock it out of the park for his friend as he took those compliments to heart but also joked, "Well, I just feel like I'm paying him enough. No, becoming friends with him and being a fan of his before, of his artistry and what he does is talent, and then to meet him and then be a fan of him as a human being, he's the best, he's so fun. His values are in the right place as a family man. He's just a good man. And that's it's a beautiful thing."

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While last nights performance was spectacular, we needed to know how he seems to top himself every time and it is a mixture of instincts and help from his future wife as he mentioned, "Oh man. I think I just, it's just like this inner, you have two people in your head, the listener and then the musician or the audience member and then the choreographer. So and you're basically having this conversation, like is this good? And unfortunately, the audience member in my mind was like, "No, I don't like it. I hate it. You could do better. I don't like, OK, I'm sorry, what about this?" And I'm auditioning for that person in my head constantly. But eventually, that's why Haley is so fantastic, because she's, she's, like, "Babe, go with your instinct." And I'm like, "Well, it's this and usually that's that's the right, that's the right, the thing that I end up doing anyways is my first idea, I always do like a big full circle and I land exactly where I started."

Derek Hough On Who He Would Like To Dance With At The DWTS Finale

Derek Hough
DWTS

With last nights dance aside, we are getting closer and closer to the finale, and Hough mentioned his intentions to dance on the finale with someone who has been very special in this seasons show. And that is Selma Blair, who had to take herself out of the competition for health reasons. But Hough is looking to have her back for one dance as he told us, "Selma was the story of Dancing with the Stars Season 31. Quite simply put, and she still is. What she achieved on the show was nothing less than a miracle and just so sensational. But more importantly for me was her reputation among the crew, the makeup department, the hair department, just everyone. I heard nothing but beautiful things about who she was as a person. And, for me, that means a lot to me, the way people treat others. She's a class act and this was the most beautiful sendoffs in Dancing with the Stars history. To see that raw emotion. We say it every season. This show is so much more than just a dance competition show. And that's why it's still here. That's why it's still thriving, why it’s still doing beautiful things."

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And as it pertains to the finale, he wants to collaborate on a dance with her, and it really looks like it will happen as he mentioned, "I commend her for being so unbelievably emotional, dancing emotionally is very difficult, and she did so beautiful. She definitely had a lot more left for sure, if she was able to. But I think this is the right choice without a doubt and I have no doubt that we haven't seen the last of her. I saw her and I was like, “Listen, we're doing something in the finale, don't care. We're going to do something cool. I already got some choreography plan on the table. We're introducing some fun stuff.” I was already pitching her ideas, you know? Just in general, because my instinct to somebody who wants to be here is to give her something to look forward to. And I'm like, “Listen, we're doing something. We're going to figure something out in the finale, something special. It's going to be great.”

Being great would be no surprise, but what has been a surprise for Derek this year?

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What DWTS Celebrity Dancer Is Derek Hough Most Surprised With?

Derek Hough
DWTS

If you have been watching this season of Dancing with the Stars, you have seen some incredible dancing and you have also seen some interesting performances that might not exactly be on par. That person this year in some people's eyes is from the lovable Vinny Guadagnino. But it appears that Hough has a soft spot for him and told us why he is surprised with the Jersey Shore cast member, saying, "I would say this, the one who has surprised me is Vinny. Because honestly, the first week I was like, “OK, cool. It's going to be one of that kind of situation.” But each week I found my heart kind of growing for him more and more. I'm like, “Wait, I just kind of love you.” Obviously, the dancing isn't perfect, but the show isn't just about perfect dancing, right? It's about the way it makes you feel. And that's really surprised me. What's really cool about this season is that every single person, every celebrity, they all want to be here. They're all here and they're all fighting for it. They all want to be in this competition show. And you know, sometimes that's not always the case. Sometimes you're like, “This person, let’s put him out of misery, let's get him out.” It's really great to see that fighting spirit in this season."

That fight continued as Vinny remained on the show and now 9 remaining couples will perform next week as Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten were eliminated.

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