The brother of Julianne Hough will be absent from 'DWTS' season 20 to play a lead role in 'New York Spring Spectacular' at Radio City Music Hall.
- January 14, 2015
AceShowbiz -
Derek Hough is leaving "Dancing with the Stars". He announces his departure from the ABC ballroom as a regular pro dancer after landing the lead role in "New York Spring Spectacular", the brand new production at Radio City Music Hall.
He will star opposite Tony winner Laura Benanti. Whoopi Goldberg will voice the Statue of Liberty, Bella Thorne will voice Alice in Wonderland Statue, while Donald Trump and Martha Stewart are among the celebrity cameos.
"I am ecstatic that I'll be able to extend my passion for performing to the Great Stage of Radio City Music Hall in New York Spring Spectacular," Derek said. "Performing at Radio City Music Hall in a show that celebrates everything that is beloved about New York City is a dream. I can't wait to show fans this production . . . it's going to be like nothing they've seen me in before."
His seven-week run at the Radio City from March 12 to May 3 will overlap with the upcoming 20th season of "DWTS", so he let go of the latter. But there is possibility he will return to the dancing show later on. During his time as a regular pro dancer on the show since 2007, he has won a record five times.
The dancing show will return in March. Fellow pro dancer Cheryl Burke will also be absent this time, and head judge Len Goodman is expected to leave after the season ends. Derek's sister Julianne Hough is also a former "DWTS" pro dancer. She returned last year as a new addition to the judge panel.
