Derek Hough’s wife, Hayley Erbert, makes emotional return to the stage after brain surgery

Hayley Erbert was brought to tears following her triumphant return to the stage just four months after undergoing emergency brain surgery.

The 29-year-old dancer performed on the opening night of the Symphony of Dance tour in Florida on Sunday alongside her husband, Derek Hough.

Following the show, Erbert stood alongside her fellow dancers as the audience erupted in cheers, prompting the former to become overwhelmed with emotion.

Hayley Erbert was overcome with emotion after returning to the stage Sunday night. jess_on_mainstreet/TikTok It was the professional dancer’s first performance since undergoing emergency brain surgery four months ago. jess_on_mainstreet/TikTok

After the group dropped their hands, they all stepped back to let Erbert soak in the moment, per a video posted to TikTok.

The dancer placed her hand over her heart and wiped tears from her eyes.

Meanwhile, Hough, 38, led the applause while looking on proudly from behind his wife.

The couple, who wed last year, announced that Erbert had been medically cleared to go back on tour earlier this month.

The 29-year-old wiped tears from her eyes as the crowd erupted in applause for her. jess_on_mainstreet/TikTok All of the other dancers — including her husband, Derek Hough — stood back to let Erbert have her moment. jess_on_mainstreet/TikTok

“We cannot wait to dance together again on stage and be back with all our fans, and thank them,” the “Dancing With the Stars” judge said on his Instagram Story.

“Thank you all the amazing support that you’ve shown during this time. We cannot wait.”

In a separate post, Erbert shared a video of herself rehearsing with the rest of the cast, admitting that dancing feels “even more special” after everything she has been through.

“What a blessing (and surprise) it is to be able to be back on stage dancing with my love after such a crazy past four months,” she wrote.

The couple announced that Erbert would be rejoining the tour earlier this month. Instagram/@derekhough In December 2023, the dancer “was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma” and “required an emergency craniectomy.” Derek Hough / Instagram

“My healing journey has been nothing short of extraordinary and being able to dance again is igniting my soul in all the ways; speeding up my recovery even more.”

Erbert also thanked her doctors and specialists for their continued support and ensuring that her “health and safety” is the top “priority.”

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The pro dancer was rushed to the hospital in December 2023 after she became “disoriented” during a performance in Washington, DC.

“She was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy,” Hough explained on Instagram at the time.

Soon after, she underwent a second life-saving surgery. hayley.erbert/Instagram Hough has stood by his wife’s side through it all. TheImageDirect.com

Soon after, Erbert underwent another invasive surgery to replace a “large portion of her skull.”

However, the situation seemingly drew the couple closer than ever, with Erbert telling her followers she was “cherishing” the “precious gift of life” more than ever amid her recovery.

Hough also reflected on the “challenging” year as 2023 came to a close.

“In the face of uncertainty, this year has been a canvas of reflection, painted with the colors of life’s challenges and joys,” he wrote on Instagram alongside clips of the pair’s wedding, his professional achievements and “creative passion projects.”

“She really is a miracle,” he said of Erbert. “I don’t really throw that word around lightly, but she really is.” Derek Hough / Instagram The couple wed in 2023. Hayley Erbert / Instagram

“These experiences are treasures of gratitude, reminding us of life’s splendor and its fleeting nature,” he concluded his thought-provoking message. “Each day of our extraordinary journey teaches us to cherish every fleeting moment.”

The professional ballroom dancer sang his “amazing” wife’s praises throughout the trying times.

“She’s unbelievable. When I married her, I knew she was strong, but I really didn’t realize how strong she really was until now,” he said of Erbert in February.

“She really is a miracle. I don’t really throw that word around lightly, but she really is.”