On July 22, Dancing With the Stars couple Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert Hough shared exciting news with the world—after years of love, laughter, and dance, the pair is expecting their first child together. Their announcement, made via an Instagram video, left friends, family, and fans showering them with excitement and congratulatory messages, marking a joyous milestone in their journey together.

However, the couple had been keeping the pregnancy a secret for longer than many may have realized. According to Derek, he and Hayley had been “fooling” their social media followers for quite some time, making sure to hide any visible signs of Hayley’s baby bump in their videos. In an Instagram story posted just two days later, Derek opened up about the lengths they had gone to keep their news under wraps. He revealed that, despite posting several videos featuring Hayley in the past few weeks, he had to be especially careful to ensure that she wasn’t showing in any of his social media posts. Derek confessed that it was a bit of a challenge to hide the growing baby bump but said the moment had finally come for them to share their news with the world.

“Not going to lie, I’m so excited to now include you in my videos now again because now everybody knows, and I can start having you in my videos again,” Derek shared on the IG story, where he also featured Hayley and their dogs at home. “How cute does she look?! She looks so cute,” Derek added, proudly admiring his wife’s growing belly.

It turns out that fans had been unknowingly witnessing Derek’s clever concealment of Hayley’s pregnancy in his posts. In looking back through his Instagram feed, it becomes clear that Hayley’s last video without the baby bump was posted in early June. In the videos posted since then, either Hayley’s baby bump was artfully hidden, or the videos had been filmed prior to the pregnancy’s noticeable changes. Derek’s meticulous planning and strategic posting were a testament to their desire to keep the joyful news a surprise for just a little bit longer. But now, with the cat officially out of the bag, they could finally be open about this life-changing development.

The couple’s relationship dates back nearly a decade. Derek and Hayley first crossed paths in 2015 when she was hired as a dancer on the “Move Live on Tour,” which was created by Derek and his sister, Julianne Hough. It was there that the two developed a bond, and their romance blossomed from there. The pair grew closer through their shared passion for dance and performance, eventually becoming inseparable both on and off the stage. Hayley later joined Dancing With the Stars as a troupe member, where she danced for six seasons and further solidified her place in the spotlight.

Fast forward to June 2022, when Derek proposed to Hayley in a heartwarming moment that would mark the next chapter in their love story. The two had already built a life together, sharing everything from their love of dance to their shared adventures as partners, but this engagement took their bond to an even deeper level. After a year of preparations and celebrations, the couple tied the knot in August 2023, making their commitment to each other official in front of their closest friends and family.

Though their wedding was a major milestone, it was the news of their pregnancy that truly took the spotlight this summer. Derek and Hayley’s fans were eager to congratulate the couple on their growing family, and many took to social media to express their excitement. The couple’s shared life of performance, passion, and adventure will now include an additional chapter—parenthood. With the birth of their first child on the horizon, Derek and Hayley are eagerly preparing to welcome this new life into their world.

The pair had already built a strong foundation of support through their years together, but their announcement marked a new era in their journey. Despite the couple’s immense love and joy, it’s clear that the pressures of keeping their pregnancy under wraps for so long had created a unique kind of excitement for both of them. The couple’s commitment to protecting their privacy while also sharing their happiness with the world made their announcement feel all the more meaningful.

As Derek shared in his Instagram story, the couple is now ready to let fans in on the next chapter of their lives. Hayley’s baby bump is no longer a secret, and fans will undoubtedly be following every step of the couple’s exciting journey into parenthood. With Derek and Hayley’s love for each other and their shared love of dance, it’s no surprise that their fans can’t wait to see how their new addition fits into their growing family dynamic.

From a tour to marriage and now, the anticipation of parenthood, Derek and Hayley’s love story has continued to unfold in the most wonderful way. Their relationship, built on mutual respect, shared passions, and undeniable chemistry, is set to expand even further with the arrival of their first child.

While their fans continue to express their excitement for the couple’s growing family, the Houghs are now embracing this new chapter with open arms, ready to welcome their little one into the world. After all, the couple’s journey together has been nothing short of a dance, and with this next step, their love story is set to take on a whole new rhythm. Fans can’t wait to see how the couple will balance their dance careers and their new role as parents—because, with Derek and Hayley, there’s no doubt their love and passion will continue to shine, both on and off the stage.