Derek Hough is Taking the Lead


Derek Hough Book Signing

Derek Hough, best known for his pro dance instruction on Dancing with the Stars, made an appearance at Barnes and Noble “The Grove” in LA on August 11th to launch his latest book Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion. This was a great opportunity for me to meet the five time mirror ball winner. I was a huge fan on the last season of DWTS when he coached Amy Purdy and was the most gracious and wonderful dance partner.  I headed up to the Grove all the way from Orange County. Let’s find out more about Derek and his book…..

“Taking the Lead” is an inspiring story of Hough’s life, career and lessons he learned from on and off the dance floor. In the book, he recounts how he was being bullied as a boy to his honor as an Emmy Award Winner. If you are interested, head over to Amazon and you can read an excerpt from the book.

Derek Hough Fans

The Crowd

When I arrived, I noticed there were already excited fans lining up on the second level of the store. They were all too happy to purchase his book and meet with Derek “one on one”. I was lucky enough to be part of the press to cover the event so I got myself right there in the front of the line! Derek was clad with a white fitted shirt, and a nicely shaped jacket and navy blue jeans. He looked absolutely stunning. 🙂  

Derek Hough at The Grove Los Angeles Barnes and Noble

Interacting with Reporters and Fans

When I got there, Hough was already being interviewed live by a reporter. There were two reporters on each side of the room. At the last part of his second interview, I overheard him telling the reporter he had to go because his loyal fans were patiently waiting for him.

“I’m a big fan of Derek Hough from the first time he appeared on Dancing with the Stars and one of my wishes is to dance with him. He gave me a dip during the booksigning.” -Irma from LA

Derek was so nice with the fans. He didn’t mind posing for photo ops where he made a dance style dip with fans, kissed them on the cheek, and just simply showed a lot of love and hugs. All his fans were quite happy. But because I was a little shy, seeing Derek for the first time, I just did a traditional cheek to cheek photo op.

Derek Hough latest book

I caught up with two of his fans and asked how did they feel seeing Derek for the first time:

Derek Hough with an excited fan

Irma also from Los Angeles, “I’m a big fan of Derek Hough from the first time he appeared on Dancing with the Stars and one of my wishes is to dance with him. He gave me a dip during the booksigning.”

Derek Hough Book Signing The Grove Farmers Market

Betty, a fan of Derek HoughBetty M. from Los Angeles said, “I’ve been watching him since he started with DWTS. He is the best. I hope he never leaves. And if he leaves, I hope he comes back.”

Special thanks to Lita Weismann

KTLA Interview with Derek Hough on August 11, 2014

I want to share this great interview Derek did on KTLA. Derek talks about how he figures out the choreography and shares how color plays a big part in his visualization when he hears a song. The interviewer speaks frankly about how all Derek’s partners seem to fall in love with him. Really? Wouldn’t you? Heheh. Derek makes it clear though that it is more a great sense of trust his star partners have in him.  



Derek Hough Book Signing Los Angeles Barnes and Noble

Contest

—>>> Read Below to Win Hough’s Signed Book<<<—

Derek Hough Autographed Copy of Taking the Lead

I had a lot of fun at the book signing. I’m planning to give Derek’s book away to the first person who can name of all of Hough’s dance partners on the show. Just share this post on facebook and list the partners in your comment below and I will keep my eyes on the responses for the first person to get it right! ABC will be announcing Derek’s new celebrity partner live on “Good Morning America” on THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 (7:00–9:00 a.m., ET). 

Derek Hough and Ruchel Freibrun

Comments

  1. Jennie Garth, Shannon Elizabeth, Brooke Burke, Lil Kim, Joanna Krupa, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Grey, Ricki Lake, Maria Menounos, Shawn Johnson, Kellie Pickler, Amber Riley, Amy Purdy

  2. PS–I did that without looking up the answers on Wikipedia and you’ll notice, they’re in correct order 😀

  3. Adriana Isabella says:

    Jennie Garth
    Shannon Elizabeth
    Brooke Burke
    Lil’ Kim
    Joanna Krupa
    Nicole Scherzinger
    Jennifer Grey
    Ricki Lake
    Maria Menounos
    Shawn Johnson
    Kellie Pickler
    Amber Riley
    Amy Purdy

  4. Jennie Garth
    Shannon Elizabeth
    Brooke Burke
    Lil’ Kim
    Joanna Krupa
    Nicole Scherzinger
    Jennifer Grey
    Ricki Lake
    Maria Menounos
    Shawn Johnson
    Kellie Pickler
    Amber Riley
    Amy Purdy

    (I forgot to put the link to my FB page)

  5. Jessi tomblin says:

    I posted it:))

  6. Sounds like a great guy! I love hearing this:)

Trackbacks

  1. […] Pop Buff has a new “Taking The Lead” book signing blog posted! You can read all about how Derek interacted with fans at Barnes and Noble at the “The Grove” in Los Angeles. They have some beautiful high quality photos too. Be sure to check out the link out when you can. […]

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