NEED TO KNOW
- Bindi Irwin says her former Dancing with the Stars accomplice Derek Hough goes to be “essentially the most great dad”
- Irwin offered the dance professional with the Innovator Award on the 2025 Dancers In opposition to Most cancers Gala of the Stars on Oct. 21
- Derek is anticipating his first child with spouse Hayley Erbert
Bindi Irwin thinks Derek Hough is greater than able to sort out his subsequent huge problem off the ballroom ground: fatherhood.
The wildlife conservationist, 27, offered her former Dancing with the Stars accomplice, 40, with the Innovator Award on the 2025 Dancers In opposition to Most cancers Gala of the Stars in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 21. Whereas introducing him, Irwin famous that Derek goes to be “essentially the most great dad.”
The dance professional and spouse Hayley Erbert predict their first child collectively.
In her speech, Irwin additionally mirrored on her DWTS journey with Derek, praising him as “one of the outstanding individuals I’ve ever identified.”
“I first met Derek 10 years in the past after we received season 21 of Dancing with the Stars collectively. I had completely no dance expertise. I had by no means even worn high-heeled sneakers, so I just about fell on my face like a child giraffe,” she recalled, joking, “I do not know if anybody’s seen a child giraffe earlier than, however boy, they fall on their face quite a bit after they’re born.”
Irwin continued: “However due to Derek’s kindness, dedication, and unparalleled, very affected person educating expertise, we took the [mirrorball trophy] dwelling, and Derek continues to encourage the world together with his storytelling by means of dance.”
She stated Derek was “essentially the most deserving particular person” for the Innovator Award due to “his relentless pursuit of excellence, his affect on a brand new era of performers, and his unwavering perception within the energy of dance to heal, encourage and unite.”
Derek and Erbert, 31, shared the information that they’ve a child on the way in which on Instagram on July 22. Alongside a video of the couple embracing whereas Erbert revealed her child bump and held a strip of ultrasound images, the mom-to-be wrote, “We are able to’t consider the largest factor to occur to us may very well be so small ♥️.”
Irwin — who’s mother to daughter Grace, 4 — commented on the submit, “Congratulations!!!!! Hugs from our total household. ❤️.”
Derek’s sister Julianne Hough additionally shared her love — and pleasure about being the newborn’s aunt.
“Child Hough is so clever to decide on you two as their dad and mom – they’re already so cherished and guarded! I like you each greater than something – Aunt JuJu is prepared for no matter you want 💕✨,” she wrote.
Throughout DWTS‘ Dedication Evening on Oct. 14, Derek appeared to nearly let slip the newborn’s intercourse.
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That night time, movie star contestant Jordan Chiles devoted her dance to her father, Timothy Chiles. She and professional accomplice Ezra Sosa carried out a Viennese waltz to the track “Daughters” by John Mayer, and Timothy appeared within the dance and spoke concerning the significance of father-daughter relationships.
Reacting to the shifting efficiency, Derek stated, “Watching you two dance actually made me excited to have that personal, my very own second with my…” He then stopped himself — briefly seeking to the aspect — earlier than concluding, “my very own baby.”
Final month, Derek opened as much as ipromiseyoumedia about what he seems ahead to most about changing into a dad.
“Going to Disneyland, or occurring journeys, and simply seeing their wonderment, and their eyes, simply extensive open. I can not wait to expertise issues for the primary time, with my stunning baby,” he stated.