Dancer Derek Hough is best known for the reality competition show “Dancing with the Stars.” He used to perform on the show as one of the professional dancers, but more recently, he has appeared as one of the judges.

While Hough’s career is doing well, his personal life is in a crisis. On December 7, 2023, Hough shared some sad and scary news with his fans and followers. It involves his wife, Hayley Erbert.

The couple was in Washington D.C. during their Symphony of Dance tour when something quite serious happened. Hough explained, “At the end of last night’s tour performance in Washington, D.C., my wife Hayley became disoriented and was taken to the hospital. She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy.”

What that means is that blood was putting pressure on Erbert’s brain and she had to have emergency brain surgery as a result.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a blood vessel is most likely to burst as a result of trauma, such as a fall or something hitting one’s head. Hough didn’t say whether or not his wife has experienced any sort of injury recently or not; however, he did comment on his wife’s current condition. He wrote, “She is in stable condition.”

Hough went on to “thank the first responders and medical personnel who have cared for and continue to care for her.” He also asked his followers for “your prayers and positivity during this time.”

In the comments, many people including “Dancing with the Stars” cast members shared their best wishes for Erbert’s recovery. For example, Xochitl Gomez, who won the most recent season of “Dancing with the Stars,” wrote, “Focusing all my positivity and well wishes directly toward Hayley. She is a shining light.”

Meanwhile, Ariana Madix, who was a runner up in the competition, wrote, “omg sending all my love to you and hayley and hoping for the speediest of recoveries.”