Derek Hough Quotes

Powerful Derek Hough for Daily Growth

About Derek Hough

Derek Hough, born on May 17, 1985, in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an accomplished American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. Raised in a family deeply rooted in dance - his mother was a ballet dancer, and his sister Julianne Hough is also a professional dancer - Derek started dancing at the age of 10 and soon became a force to reckon with in the world of ballroom dance. His journey began when he competed on ABC's reality show "Dancing with the Stars," where he won a record-breaking six seasons, partnering with celebrities such as Brooke Burke, Jennifer Grey, Amber Riley, and Kellie Pickler. His success on the show earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography in 2016. In addition to his work on "Dancing with the Stars," Hough has ventured into acting, appearing in series like "Make It or Break It" and "Nashville." He also released a single titled "The Gift" in collaboration with Katherine McPhee. Hough's influences range from Fred Astaire to Michael Jackson, and his dance style is a unique blend of ballroom, contemporary, and urban styles. His major works extend beyond dancing and acting, as he has written a memoir titled "Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion" (2014) that delves into his personal life and career journey. Currently, Derek Hough continues to dance, act, and create music while also focusing on his charity work with the United Nations Foundation's Girl Up campaign, which empowers girls worldwide. His inspiring story of resilience, talent, and versatility serves as a testament to his enduring influence in the world of entertainment.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The hardest thing in the world to do is something new. But it's also the most rewarding."

This quote by Derek Hough highlights the inherent challenge and reward of embarking on new experiences or endeavors. He suggests that initiating something novel is difficult due to our natural inclination towards familiarity, comfort, and routine. However, he also emphasizes that the effort put into attempting something new can yield significant rewards - personal growth, increased confidence, and the joy of accomplishment. Therefore, despite the initial apprehension or challenges, taking the leap to try something new is worthwhile as it offers opportunities for self-improvement and satisfaction.


"Everything you want is on the other side of fear."

This quote by Derek Hough emphasizes that overcoming fear is essential to achieving our goals and desires. It suggests that whatever we aspire for, whether it be personal growth, success, or fulfillment, often lies beyond the comfort zone defined by our fears. The call to action is to confront our apprehensions and take the necessary steps towards our aspirations, understanding that the reward usually outweighs the initial fear.


"Believe in yourself, take chances, and make your dreams a reality!"

The quote encourages self-confidence, advocates for taking calculated risks, and underscores the importance of pursuing one's aspirations persistently. By having faith in oneself, embracing opportunities, and turning dreams into actions, personal growth and success are more likely to be achieved.


"The secret ingredient to everything I do is passion. You have to love what you're doing."

This quote emphasizes that genuine passion for a task or endeavor lies at the heart of success in any domain, be it dance, work, or life in general. Passion fuels one's motivation, drives them to persevere through challenges, and infuses their efforts with authenticity and energy. By loving what you do, you are more likely to excel and find fulfillment in your pursuits.


"If you don't try at anything, you can't truly fail...you just never know what you would've been able to achieve."

This quote suggests that the only way to experience failure is through attempting something. It encourages taking action, as even if an endeavor doesn't succeed, one learns valuable insights and grows from the experience. In other words, inaction guarantees no progress or learning, while trying opens up possibilities for growth and achievement.


I never dreamed of dancing on television or anything like that. It's more of things that come along that excite me and inspire me.

- Derek Hough

Dancing, Television, Like, Excite

I feel fairly certain that my painting skills might not be best shown on 'Dancing with the Stars.' I'll have to come up with another way to showcase that side of me.

- Derek Hough

Dancing, Might, Side, Another Way

My type, which I didn't realize until somebody pointed out to me, apparently is brunettes with darker skin tones, but that is about it as far as aesthetically.

- Derek Hough

Skin, Which, Aesthetically, Pointed

For me, you've got to start from within. The things you eat directly affect the way you feel and the way you move.

- Derek Hough

Within, Move, Affect, Directly

For me, I like to push myself... I hate feeling complacent or that I'm not learning.

- Derek Hough

Myself, Me, Like, Complacent

When you're a choreographer and you put so much into a routine that's emotionally driven, those are like my ideas and my little babies that I have here and then I put them out there and they're there to be judged and looked at. When it's all over, it's just such a relief.

- Derek Hough

Here, Choreographer, Babies, Relief

Can someone's true value really be estimated? Maybe there needs to be an Edmunds.com for people on TV. That would be funny and possibly cruel.

- Derek Hough

Needs, Maybe, TV, Possibly

It's such a cliche thing to say. I want to choreograph, I want to direct, I want to act, I want to write music, I want to play music, I want to sing. For me, it's never-ending. I want to do it all, really.

- Derek Hough

Play, Want, Choreograph, Play Music

I want to choreograph, I want to direct, I want to act, I want to write music, I want to play music, I want to sing. For me, it's never-ending. I want to do it all, really.

- Derek Hough

Play, Want, Choreograph, Play Music

I went to a theater arts school, so I'm interested in many different projects, whether it be film, television or even live theater. I'm a performer. That's what I do. That's what I want to do.

- Derek Hough

Want, Performer, Projects, Live Theater

Whether I'm doing a routine where I want to move people, or if I want to feel moved myself, I definitely tap into those moments where it's not just dancing or movement. It might just be a hand gesture or just a slow look, or even just the way you slightly tip your head forward. These subtleties speak volumes.

- Derek Hough

Dancing, Doing, Slightly, Tip

I think for me, the thing that gets me in the right mindset is just watching something funny, something light, something that makes me feel good. Regardless of what it is - when you feel good, when you feel upbeat, creativity flows!

- Derek Hough

Mindset, Think, I Think, Upbeat

I was kind of reflecting on my life and certain experiences, and you know, when I'm teaching and coaching my partners on 'Dancing With the Stars,' I sort of use those stories and anecdotes to help them sort of overcome certain fears.

- Derek Hough

Dancing, My Life, Use, Coaching

I always want to be the best at what I do. That doesn't mean compared to other people, but just in what you do.

- Derek Hough

Mean, Always, Other, Compared

I think models in general have a certain insecurity about themselves because they're known for being beautiful, so they have to prove to everybody they have personality and they are intelligent.

- Derek Hough

Think, Everybody, Models, Being Beautiful

For me, a dream partner is someone who is willing to learn and to put their trust in me.

- Derek Hough

Trust, Dream, Someone, Partner

The key for me is really just to stay in a child-like state in the rehearsal studio. I'm really goofy and really silly and crazy. If I get too serious, I start hitting a wall.

- Derek Hough

Goofy, Studio, Rehearsal, Hitting

In school, some of my favorite subjects... I mean, art was my favorite subject. I loved art! I used to go during lunch time to the art room and paint or draw or something.

- Derek Hough

Art, Lunch, Some, Subjects

For me, there's nothing more masculine than when I'm completely in control of my body and can call upon my body to do whatever I want it to do.

- Derek Hough

Want, Nothing, More, Masculine

I come from a theatrical background, where, if you're working on a movie or a play, you always respect the people you work with. You're accommodating.

- Derek Hough

Play, Always, Theatrical, Background

I'd love to do more theatre and acting. I attended a performing arts high school in London, and it would be great to be able to put all of that training to use again.

- Derek Hough

Love, London, Attended, Arts

I'd like to do Broadway if the right project came along, but my mission in life is that I want to help change people's lives.

- Derek Hough

Want, Like, Lives, Broadway

I'm all for big production - I love putting on shows.

- Derek Hough

Love, Big, I Love, Production

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