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\u201cDancing With the Stars\u201d<\/a> judge Derek Hough may be well adored by his 3.6 million Instagram followers and \u201cDWTS\u201d audiences everywhere, but as a child, he didn\u2019t have as many fans. In fact, the pro dancer revealed he was bullied growing up.<\/p>\n Hough shed light on these difficult experiences in an Instagram video<\/a> on Oct. 13. \u201cI just got back from Yosemite, but before I left, I spoke at a children\u2019s hospital event where we had this really meaningful conversation about bullying,\u201d Hough began, before sharing his own experiences being bullied. <\/p>\n \u201cI was severely bullied as a kid, myself. I experienced some pretty extreme stuff \u2014 being hung by a tree by my feet, being spat on, beaten up, a gun held to my head, even hog-tied in a field for hours,” he revealed.<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t share any additional details, but described the bullies\u2019 treatment of him as \u201cphysical and emotional torture,\u201d emphasizing that bullying is still prevalent today, but has \u201cshifted into the digital world.\u201d<\/p>\n Now expecting a child with his wife, Hayley Erbert, Hough expressed how these past experiences continue to affect him. \u201cWith me about to become a father, it really got me thinking about the world that we\u2019re shaping for each other,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He encouraged his fans to be kinder to one another online. \u201cWe can share our thoughts in a way that still expresses what we believe but also lifts others up. We can model a culture where being heard, it doesn\u2019t require tearing anyone down,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Hough ended his video on a hopeful note, stating: \u201cTogether, I really believe that we can shift this culture and create a space where everyone feels heard and respected.\u201d<\/p>\n Hough\u2019s future child will be his first with Erbert. The couple married in 2023 after dating for eight years. Last year, they experienced a miscarriage, which they discussed in a different Instagram video<\/a> on Oct. 20.<\/p>\n Currently, Hough is a judge on \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d Season 34<\/a>. New episodes air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+<\/a>, with new episodes streaming on Hulu<\/a> the next day.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n