Top 20 Derek Hough Performances on Dancing with the Stars

While you probably wouldn’t associate Michael Jackson’s “Bad” with the Argentine Tango, if anyone was going to make it work, it would be Derek. Dancing with Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson, the couple treats us to a dance that is equal parts drama, artistry, and passion. Their focus, attack, and precision throughout have us completely enchanted and we can’t tear our eyes away from them for even a second. Bruno called the routine “breathtaking” and “stylistically perfect” while Len commended them on really performing every step. After watching this dance, fans couldn’t believe that this duo didn’t take home the All-Stars mirrorball.

What makes Derek such a talented choreographer is how he interprets his partners’ strengths and translates them into movement. This is perhaps best seen in this powerful and stunning routine that reminds us just why he and Bethany make the perfect partnership. We still can’t quite believe that they were eliminated after this dance, which earned them a standing ovation and the highest praise from the judges. At least we got to enjoy it once more after it was voted by the audience for an encore. Len called it a “five-star freestyle,” and of course, they scored tens across the board.

In this beautiful Viennese Waltz, Derek plays a young Len Goodman during his dancing heyday. During rehearsals for the dance, Len shared his heartbreak when he realized his dance days were behind him. Derek absorbed that nostalgia and heartache to create this breathtaking routine, honoring Len’s legacy. It was also rather fitting that this should be Derek’s comeback after taking time off due to injury. Just try not to feel moved when Derek steps aside and Len takes over to finish the dance with Nastia. It’s emotional, stunning, and a very fitting tribute from one dance great to another.

Dancing in tandem with their mini-mes, Emma York and Joey German, the Hough siblings reunited on the “Dancing with the Stars” stage for this mind-blowing contemporary routine. Their interpretation of Sia’s song tells the story of the trickier side of family dynamics, something they understand well. Audiences were astounded by their inventive choreography, impeccable synchronization, and the heart-stirring narrative they presented. What particularly impressed was how the dancers navigated their choreography through a moving set. This dance, described by Derek on Instagram as “such an honor” and “incredibly meaningful and personal” won the pair an Emmy for “Outstanding Choreography”.

Although Brooke had consistently impressed the judges and audiences, Derek put a little extra spring in her step when he compared dancing with her to dancing with a professional. With this highest of praise in mind, she performs a memorable Foxtrot that oozes elegance, grace, and glamor. It’s basically a perfect Foxtrot, so it was hardly a surprise when the judges awarded them a perfect score. Bruno was in complete awe of the routine, calling it a “beautiful performance from start to finish”. Derek would go on to hold the record for most wins, but Brooke would always be his first.

You’d be forgiven for forgetting that it was only week two when Derek and Kellie danced this incredibly impressive routine. And with such impeccable synchronization, you’d be fooled into thinking they’d been dancing together for years. Derek choreographs each step to show off Kellie’s talents, and highlight what sets her apart from the competition. It’s very full-on, and Derek doesn’t hold back in taking risks but she takes it all in her stride, performing each step to near-perfection. The judges piled on the compliments following this challenging routine and even scored them the joint top marks of the night.

For his first dance with the “Dirty Dancing” star, Derek unleashed his inner Swayze with a Viennese Waltz to “These Arms of Mine”. His choreography pays homage to the movie, while simultaneously adding his own flair as well. As he demonstrates the steps to his partner, old memories coming flooding back, and she’s hit by a mix of emotions. We already knew that she could dance but by incorporating those feelings too, she gives us a beautiful, graceful, and heartfelt performance. We can only imagine that Johnny would be beaming with pride if he could see Baby now.

Julianne and Derek were voted to perform a jive as part of the “Macy’s Design-A-Dance” contest. Dancing to the rock ‘n’ roll classic, “Great Balls of Fire” the two give us an unbelievably energetic and spectacular performance that is everything we could hope for... and more. Derek comes down the shimmering steps to reveal Julianne inside a grand piano, and that’s just the beginning. It’s a showstopping performance from start to end, with plenty of gravity-defying tricks that leave us completely stunned. By the time we finished scooping our jaws up off of the floor, the pair had received an Emmy nomination for their “Outstanding Choreography”.

When Julianne stopped by with the cast of the “Footloose” remake, we couldn’t pass up the chance to see the Houghs dance together again. Proving that they don’t do anything by halves, the dynamic duo threw everything into this energetic jive, leaving us out of breath just watching them. There are so many thrilling tricks and flips, including Derek leaping down the steps straight into the splits. It’s even more impressive when you consider that Derek was recovering from a shoulder injury at the time too. As always, they deliver a brilliant and spirited routine that’s incredibly fun to watch.

Taking us back in time to the 1950s, Derek and Nicole deliver a Paso Doble like nothing we’ve ever seen before. Never one to hold back on innovation and risk-taking, Derek seamlessly incorporates recognizable moves from the era into a more traditional Paso Doble. His attention to detail certainly pays off, with Len calling it not just “the dance of the season” but possibly “the dance of all ten seasons”. It’s so stylistic, powerful, and exciting that we couldn’t imagine a more deserving dance for an encore. In fact, we could watch this one on a loop.

When travel restrictions prevented Len from flying to the U.S. for season 29, Derek stepped in as a judge. During the finale, he reflected on the experience, in the best way he knew how to. Throwing out some real Hollywood golden era vibes, he dances amongst some of the costumes, sets, and props that gave us the most memorable moments of the season. Derek called the routine “fun” and “an homage to some of my heroes”. If you want a dance that puts a smile on your face, this is it. Every moment reminds us why he’s truly the greatest showman.

Watching the pros do their thing is always amazing but this dance, in particular, is a cut above the rest. Accompanied on the guitar by Mark Ballas, Derek and Chelsie’s Paso radiates so much passion, sensuality, and conviction that it’s impossible not to be entirely mesmerized. Their unbreakable focus is practically hypnotic, as they dance as if they’re the only two in the room. The choreography was nominated for an Emmy, and if it were up to us it would have won. If any future “Dancing with the Stars” contestants are watching, take note... because this is how it’s done.

You can bet there were tears throughout the studio when Paralympic medalist, Amy Purdy, and Derek performed this emotional contemporary routine. Dancing to Christina Perri’s “Human”, we defy you to find even one person who can’t relate to, or be inspired by, the story this dance tells. Yes, she dances it so beautifully, but what makes this routine stand out is the raw emotion behind it. You can truly feel how much heart and soul has gone into every step, from the choreography to the performance. Even the judges had to choke back their tears after this moving dance.

This dance just goes to prove why Amber Riley and Derek Hough are amongst “Dancing with the Stars’” most memorable partnerships. The choreography is super-intricate and hyper-synchronized, and although it looks challenging to us, they make it look effortless. It’s clear that Amber is having the time of her life throughout the routine, and their joy beams through our screens. Bruno commended them on their “out of this world” synchronization, Carrie-Ann said that they were in a class of their own and Len simply said, “Do it again.” When you watch them dance together, you just can’t help but smile.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Bindi performed this heart-wrenching dance during the season 21 finale. Dedicated to her late father, Steve Irwin, the pair danced a simple, graceful and heartfelt routine to “Footprints in the Sand”. Derek choreographs a touching and beautiful routine in honor of his partner, and she pours her emotions into every step. Even though they’re paying tribute to her dad, you can’t help but see Bindi and Derek’s bond shine through too. Reportedly, Derek surprised Bindi with the photo at the end that showed her as a child kissing her father’s cheek.

For this dance, the decision was made to essentially forgo props, fancy sets, or any glitz and glamor and focus instead solely on Kellie’s talents. He pushes her beyond her limits, even admitting that they were both “super, super nervous” ahead of this performance. The pair perform the most spectacular lifts with each one leaving us even more spellbound than the last. You can tell that Pickler is dancing from the heart and by the end, we’re all feeling emotionally raw. This was their final shot to convince the public that they should be the season 16 champions... and they nailed it.

If you thought we were done with the tear-jerking routines, think again. After laying their hearts on the dance floor during “Elastic Heart,” the Houghs were back for another stirring performance. This time the dance tells the story of how they were separated following their parents’ divorce. We know how talented these siblings are but this routine is in a league of its own! As well as bearing their souls through intricate choreography, this dance really shows the tight bond they share. Ending on a hopeful note, they show that when life feels unsteady, they can always hold onto each other.

Rather than recreate a cherished memory with Patrick Swayze, Grey decided she wanted to make new memories with Derek. However, that didn’t mean we couldn’t have a few “Dirty Dancing” throwbacks. Their freestyle is incredibly fun to watch and it’s clear that they’re having the Time of Their Lives, too. Their chemistry is on fire as they channel their inner Baby and Johnny. Grey even admitted that the experience reignited her passion for dance. Perhaps they don’t recreate the lift but the tricks that they do are just as impressive and will definitely go down in “Dancing with the Stars” histor”.

When you have a dancer as beautiful as Nicole Scherzinger, you don’t need any gimmicks to distract from the choreography. Dancing to “The Lady in Red,” the pair focus on the tricky steps and timing of the rhumba, as well as finessing the routine with sensuality and passion. This dance brought out a side of Nicole that we were less familiar with, and Derek perfectly frames her every move. The judges really had to put the dance under a microscope just to find something to critique. Perhaps the lift came in too soon, but hey, we were too mesmerized to notice.

Returning to the dance floor for the first time since 2017, Derek was joined by Hayley Erbert for an intensely thrilling Paso Doble. From the costumes and set to the music and of course, the choreography, everything about this performance is exquisite. The speed and acute precision of each step is particularly astounding, and we simply can’t take our eyes off them for a single second. We know that they’re professional dancers, but we still can’t help but be amazed by how exciting and breathtaking this dance is. It’s one of season 29’s greatest highlights, and everything about it is pure dance perfection.