“Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough is speaking out after a devastating tragedy in Bondi Beach, Australia, which has prompted an outpouring of grief from the global dance community.
The Emmy-winning choreographer shared a brief but powerful message on social media as news spread of a mass shooting that left at least 15 people dead and dozens injured, according to NBC News and local authorities.
Derek Hough Shares Emotional Response: ‘No Words’
GettyHough addressed the tragedy on his Instagram Stories, reacting to footage and reports from Australia.
“These shootings are sickening,” he wrote. “Seeing all the footage intensifies the horror of it all even more. No words. Just sick.”
He ended the message with a broken heart emoji. Hough’s response echoed the shock felt by many fans and fellow performers as details of the incident continued to emerge.
What Happened at Bondi Beach
The BBC reported that, according to the New South Wales Police Force, the violence unfolded on December 14 when two men, identified as a father and son, opened fire at Bondi Beach.
Police confirmed that 15 people were killed and another 40 were injured. Police fatally shot a 50-year-old man at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was taken to the hospital with critical injuries.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
DWTS Stars Unite in Grief After the Tragedy
GettySeveral members of the “Dancing with the Stars” family also spoke out, including Australian-born professional dancer Sharna Burgess.
“My heart is absolutely shattered to read about the mass shooting on Bondi Beach,” Burgess wrote on Instagram Stories. “A place I love so deeply, that I’ve always felt safe in, that I’ve always felt proud of.”
“This is not the Aussie way, this is not who we are as a people,” she added. “My love, my tears, my anger, my rage, and my deepest condolences are for all my fellow Australians who lost someone.”
Former DWTS pro Sasha Farber also shared his reaction on Instagram.
“This is a horrible nightmare,” he wrote, adding a broken heart emoji and the hashtag #BondiBeach. In the caption, he said, “Left with no words.”
Fans flooded Farber’s comments with messages of support and sympathy.
Burgess, who frequently returns to Australia to host “Dancing with the Stars Australia,” has long spoken about her deep connection to her home country.
Other Australian DWTS pros include Peta Murgatroyd and Kym Herjavec, who have also shared support amid the tragedy. As the Bondi Beach community mourns, messages from stars like Derek Hough reflect the heartbreak felt far beyond Australia’s shores.
For many, the tragedy has shattered the sense of safety tied to a place long seen as joyful, open, and welcoming.
In Hough’s words, the devastation left behind speaks for itself. “No words.”
