ABC Entertainment announces an overall deal with Emmy Award winner, six-time Mirrorball champion dancer and Dancing with the Stars judge Derek Hough. In his new role, the dancer will host and develop specials and entertainment programming for the network.
Derek comes home to ABC
I had a feeling something was up when, fresh off of judging World of Dance on NBC, Derek winds up on the panel of a rival dance show on NBC. Although the press release mentions World of Dance, an overall deal with ABC likely means Jennifer Lopez will be looking for a new judge IF NBC renews World of Dance for a fifth season.
“Coming home to ABC and being given the opportunity to develop projects for them that are as much on brand for them as they are for me makes this even that more exciting for me,” said Derek.
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“Derek is a creative force not just in the ballroom but also every room he enters,” said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. “He has been part of our ABC family for many years; the energy and dedication he brings to every project is palpable. We value his partnership immensely and look forward to the exciting and imaginative projects to come.”
Last week, Derek joined Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli as a regular judge on Dancing with the Stars.
Derek is a DWTS six time Mirrorball Trophy winner
With celebrity partners on Dancing with the Stars that included Brooke Burke, Jennie Garth, Ricki Lake, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, American Idol alum Kellie Pickler, Glee star Amber Riley, Amy Purdy and Bindi Irwin, Derek is best known for his innovation and daring choreography on the show. To date, he is the winningest professional dancer in the franchise’s history with a total of six wins.
In May 2017, Hough joined Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo at the judges table for the NBC series World of Dance; and in December 2016, he starred with American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Martin Short and Harvey Fierstein in NBC’s Hairspray Live!
In 2014, Derek and his sister Julianne teamed for a live stage dance concert “MOVE Live on Tour,” performing in 50 cities around the country; and a year later, they toured again selling out scores of venues on their multicity outing. In 2017, they again performed a sold-out tour of 48 cities around the United States with their show “Move – Beyond – Live on Tour.” In 2019, Derek completed his first solo national tour, “Derek Hough Live: The Tour,” which visited nearly 60 cities around the country.
Next year, the dancers stars in a new show, “Derek Hough: No Limit.” This residency for Caesars Entertainment at the Flamingo Las Vegas debuts in 2021.
