Derek Hough revealed his favorite moments with his daughter Everley start out in a slightly painful way—but that it’s all worth it.
The “Dancing with the Stars” judge posted to Instagram on Aug. 19 to share a photo of his baby girl cuddled alongside him, grabbing his nose.
“Favorite part of the day is when Everley turns my face into a battlefield,” Hough captioned the photo. “Razor blade nails, fingers up the nose and all. It takes everything in me not to flinch. But then she settles, tiny hand wrapped around my nose, her whole body softening into calm.”
“It’s how she soothes, how she says, ’I’m safe,’” the new dad added. “Grab nose = I’m safe ❤️.”
Hough and his wife Hayley Ervert welcomed their first child in December 2025. At the time, the new parents posted to Instagram to share a photo of their newborn’s feet with the caption, “Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open, and our world is forever changed.”
Fans Reacted to Derek Hough’s Sweet Photo
Nearly eight months after Everley’s birth, fans and friends reacted to Hough’s photo. Many followers could relate to the face attack.
“We have a baby wolverine on our hands. But she’s the best ♥️,” Hough’s wife Erbert wrote.
“Just experienced the very same thing. Those little fingers in my mouth. Holding on for dear life… until she drifts off to dreamland. THE. BEST. ❤️,” another commenter wrote.
“So precious. Nothing more amazing, precious, and straight up sacred (tbh) than a GIRL DAD. Never stop doing you. Keep up the amazing work, and most importantly love on the woman who birthed her as much as possible. ❤️” a fan wrote to Hough.
“Paper thin nails yet razor sharp! Either way, sooo much love in these moments ❤️🥹,” another fan agreed.
In addition, Hough’s sister Julianne wrote, “Angel” in the comment section.
Derek Hough Can’t Believe How Fast Everley is Growing
Even before his daughter was born, Hough told E! News he was “emotional” thinking about his first child.
“I get to guide, mentor, love this human being from day one,” the DWTS judge said in November 2025. “It’s gonna be amazing, and I’m looking forward to what it all is going to do and mean for me as a dad, as a person, as a man and what’s going to evolve within me and change.”
Months later, he shared an update with People magazine about his daughter’s milestones.
“She’s crawling now, and she’s moving fast,” he shared in early August. “She’s just so alert, and her laugh is my favorite sound in the entire world/ And oh my gosh, her smile is literally everything. It just changes my chemistry. It really does.”
“The biggest surprise for me really is just loving something so much,” the DWTS veteran added. “I love seeing Hayley step into being a mother. She’s such a wonderful mom and such a natural.”
