Derek Hough is Taking the Lead

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.

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. 🙂  

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.

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

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.”

Betty 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.  

Contest

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

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).