From joining "Dancing with the Stars" as a pro when he was just 22 to taking over the legendary late Len Goodman's seat on the judging panel, Derek Hough has a one-of-a-kind perspective on the ins and outs of the beloved series.
While chatting with USA TODAY on set for his new campaign with Mucinex Recharge earlier this month, the dancer, 41, reflects on the evolution of "DWTS" and dishes on some of his hottest takes when it comes to the competition.
"The show was a lot different [years ago]. It was a little bit more raw, you know," he says. "Things were said and done, and it was like it was the wild, wild west, honestly … It's a little less like that now."
Social media is the catalyst for a lot of change, Hough notes: "It's pretty crazy out there.
You have to be really careful and stand guard at the door of your mind, because otherwise it gets hijacked, and it's really important that these celebrities and the pros really just stay focused on what they're there to do."
Hough earned a record-breaking six Mirrorball Trophy wins between his "DWTS" debut on Season 5 in 2007 and his final year as a pro on Season 21 in 2015, when he stepped away to pursue other projects. He later returned as a judge in 2020 after Goodman retired. However, the shift from being a dancer to a judge has come with its own set of challenges.
"The amount of times I lock in a score and I share my feedback, and I'm like, 'I really want to change my score really bad right now after saying that.' That happens sometimes," Hough admits, calling the scoring system "flawed in a way" for only being in whole numbers rather than increments.
"For the most part, you go with your gut, you go with what feels right," he adds, "and at the end of the day, you've gotta live with it."
Scores aren't the only hot topic on "DWTS" that Hough has an opinion about. One of the most controversial rules is over lifts, which prohibits a dancer from having both their feet off the floor simultaneously with the assistance or support of their partner in the core ballroom and Latin styles.
"Lifts are kind of fun," Hough says. "I get it. Trust me, I've been on the other side. I'm like, 'Come on, man, that wasn't a lift. That was a little hop or jump or step.' But again, it's interesting, because in Latin, there are no lifts in the competitive world. You don't necessarily get docked on them though. It's not like, 'Oops, you did a lift, you're out, or you get docked.' You just don't do them."
During his time as a pro on "DWTS," Derek jokes he "certainly helped break the rules," which is why he doesn't "really call them out a lot" as a judge now.
"I was a big rule-breaker when I was on the show. I was doing flips and tricks with [Season 15 partner] Shawn Johnson and doing all sorts of things and dances that you weren't supposed to be doing," he admits. "I think it's fun to be able to have some kind of parameter to work within, and for us to call certain things out. I try to stay on the technique side of things."
While he is flexible on the guidelines for lifts, one thing Hough isn't willing to negotiate is his recharge and recovery time with wife, Hayley Erbert, and their daughter Everley Capri, who will be 1 in December. Still "a new parent" with a booming career, Hough quips, "There's absolutely no balance in my life right now, let's be real."
"I'm hosting the Disney special, I'm doing 'Dancing with the Stars,' I'm hosting 'Extra,' I'm going on tour, and now I'm a husband and a father," he adds of his ongoing and upcoming projects. "There's so many things happening, so any time I have with my wife and daughter is incredibly precious, and I want to make sure that I'm fully present for them."
With a packed schedule and little time for rest, Hough says he prioritizes "a good night's sleep" and staying healthy so he can feel energized and strong when he's able to spend quality time with his family.
That's where his role as Mucinex's new Chief Recharge Officer comes in. Mucinex Recharge is a maximum-strength all-in-one nighttime cold and flu-symptom relief product that helps the body recharge overnight and tackle the next day. Hough considers the product "really important" to his wellness routine.
"I'm about to go on tour, and I have to go on stage no matter what. It doesn't matter if I'm not feeling well, if I'm feeling under the weather, feeling sick," he explains. "So Mucinex Recharge is great because it keeps my symptoms at bay and makes me go out there and have to perform every single night, because I want to put on a good show for the audience."
Being healthy also allows Hough to do the thing he loves most: Savor the little moments with his baby girl and wife.
"Making time at night when I get home, sleeping with my daughter on my chest and just feeling her breathing and waking up in the morning," he says. "Getting home before she goes to bed so I can look at her in their eyes and see her on a busy day. Any times I have mornings off or days off, I spend them with my girls, and it's my favorite thing."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Derek Hough speaks out on 'DWTS' lift rule and 'flawed' scoring | Exclusive
