Five-time Dancing with the Stars winner Derek Hough is a busy man, currently working two jobs on two coasts. He is starring alongside Tony winner Laura Benanti in the Rockettes' New York Spring Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, while appearing on DWTS' 20th season in Los Angeles. Hough recently sat down with the New York Post and we discovered all sorts of delicious tidbits about the bi-coastal heartthrob and his projects.
1. Spectacular is Different to Broadway
“What’s so wonderful is that it’s not a Broadway show,” says Hough. “It’s not a play, it’s a spectacular.” He goes on to describe the piece as “more theatrical, magical and whimsical than anything I’ve ever seen before.”
2. April Showers Happen Inside
70 feet of water falls on Radio City Music Hall’s stage while Hough sashays through puddles to “Singin’ in the Rain.” His Gene Kelly moment comes complete with 36 umbrella-twirling Rockettes.
3. Hough's Single But Not Ready to Mingle
“I have to be single,” says Hough—and getting together with his co-stars is now off limits. “It literally feels like you are breaking up with somebody every time, and it can be heartbreaking. It’s better not to get [romantically] involved.”
4. The Perfect Broadway Role?
Although he’s no longer a practicing Mormon, Hough doesn’t drink alcohol or coffee when he’s working on a show. He's also starred in the West End in Footloose. All of which has got us dreamcasting him in a certain show at the Eugene O'Neill...
5. Hough's Definition of Fun
Hough's definition of fun is as impressive as his trophy collection. “I thought: ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if I did Dancing With the Stars on my days off?’” How does he manage it? “I say that I’m living on ‘NET’ time, as in No Extra Time.”
Spring Spectacular runs at Radio City through May 3; DWTS airs on ABC on Mondays at 8/7C.