It was the kind of announcement that turns whispers into roars. TIME magazine released its annual list of the Top 100 Most Influential Figures in the World of Arts — and there, nestled among titans of cinema, music, and fashion, appeared a name that millions of dance fans already knew by heart: Derek Hough. For many, it was no surprise. For Derek himself, it was a moment of disbelief.

Behind the glittering lights of “Dancing with the Stars” and sold-out world tours, Derek’s story has always been one of defiance against the odds. Raised in Salt Lake City, shipped off to London at the age of 12 to study dance, he once lived in a tiny flat where the dream of artistry seemed distant and fragile. “I was just a kid who wanted to move,” he has often said. That kid grew into a man whose every step, spin, and choreographed heartbeat would leave a mark not only on television but on the very definition of modern dance itself.

When TIME editors debated their choices, insiders say Derek’s name carried weight for more than his ballroom brilliance. He wasn’t just a performer — he had become an advocate. From mental health awareness to arts education in schools, Derek used his platform to push for causes bigger than trophies or ratings. In 2024, he secretly funded scholarships for underprivileged teens to access dance training, a gesture that, according to one producer, “changed lives without ever demanding the spotlight.” That humility, wrapped inside the body of a world-class entertainer, sealed his place among the century’s most influential.

But recognition didn’t come without bruises. For every Emmy he won, Derek endured grueling rehearsals that shredded his body, pushing him to the edge of collapse. He has spoken candidly about dark days when the roar of the crowd faded into silence, and fame felt more like a burden than a blessing. “I lied to myself sometimes,” he admitted in a recent podcast. “I told myself I was invincible. The truth is, I wasn’t. I broke down. I bled. I doubted everything.” Those confessions, raw and unvarnished, made his triumph feel even more human.

The turning point came not on the stage of DWTS but during a small performance at a Los Angeles community center in 2022. Derek, stripped of sequins and cameras, danced barefoot to a single violin. The room — filled with teenagers who had never set foot in a theater — erupted into tears and applause. One young girl approached him afterward, whispering, “I didn’t know dance could save someone’s life.” Derek later admitted that those words haunted and healed him in equal measure. “That night,” he said, “I realized my purpose wasn’t just to dance. It was to connect.”

TIME’s editors captured that essence in their citation: “Derek Hough redefined what it means to be a dancer in the 21st century. His artistry is undeniable, but his influence comes from his courage to show vulnerability and his commitment to lifting others with him.”

Today, as he joins the ranks of icons whose names are etched into cultural history, Derek reflects less on the fame and more on the fight. In a celebratory post, he wrote: “This isn’t about me. It’s about every kid who feels unseen, every dreamer who feels unheard. If my journey proves anything, it’s that art — no matter the form — can move the world.”

Fans around the globe flooded social media, celebrating not just the accolade but the man behind it. Videos of his most iconic performances resurfaced, from the electrifying Paso Doble that left judges speechless to the tender freestyle routines that brought millions to tears. Hashtags like #TIME100Derek and #DanceMovesTheWorld trended within hours, a digital standing ovation for a career built on sweat, soul, and sincerity.

What happens next? Rumors swirl of a Broadway residency, a documentary, even a collaboration with pop megastars eager to fuse Derek’s choreography with their music. But those who know him best insist he will return to his roots — teaching, mentoring, pushing the next generation to believe in themselves. As his longtime colleague Julianne Hough quipped: “The world just found out what I’ve known my whole life. Derek isn’t just a dancer. He’s a force.”

For Derek Hough, being named among TIME’s Top 100 isn’t a finish line. It’s a reminder that the journey — with all its missteps, recoveries, and moments of grace — is the real masterpiece. And if the past two decades are any measure, the most powerful chapters of his story may still be waiting in the wings.