PROFESSIONAL BIO

CELEBRITY PARTNER: Nicole Scherzinger

BACKGROUND:
For Derek, Dancing with the Stars is more than a competition—it's sibling rivalry. He not only dances against his younger sister Julianne, but also his best friend Mark Ballas.

Derek started dancing at age 11. Just one year later, he and Julianne left their hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah, and moved to London to live and train with their dance coaches Shirley and Corky Ballas. He and their son Mark Ballas, also on Dancing with the Stars, are still best friends and perform in a band called the Ballas Hough Band.

"In dancing, there's a lot of acting involved, and you have to combine both of them (the dancing and the acting) to put on a show, because that's our job."

A multi-talented entertainer, Derek also performed on London's West End and played the lead in Footloose. One of the dancers on the first Dancing with the Stars Tour and a choreographer on the BBC (UK) hit show, Dance X, he recently took a break from competitive dance to focus on acting and singing.

Derek danced with Polish dancer Aneta Piotrowska, who appeared on the Polish version of Dancing with the Stars. Derek says, "I loved doing the Rumba. It was amazing because everything was 100% genuine." Professionalism really comes into play when both partners are talented, but have no chemistry with each other. He feels as long as both people come across like they're having a good time, they can have a successful partnership.

Derek would rather lose a competition knowing that he danced his absolute best, than win thinking he didn't deserve it. Even though he was not always technically the best in competitions, he concentrated on his connection with his partner and the audience.

He really loves the recognition from his all his fans, especially the Latin dance fans who know the hard work and dedication it takes.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• World Under 21 Latin American Champion
• Two-time Open British Champion (Blackpool)
• Two-time International 'Open to the World Champion'
• Two-time US Open Champion

PRIOR CELEBRITY PARTNERS:
Joanna Krupa
Lil' Kim
Brooke Burke
Shannon Elizabeth
Jennie Garth