SJM_DereckHough_0619FINAL_REGION3_layout 5 / 31 / 19 4 : 13 PM Page 3 Oh yeah . Some of them stand out . Kellie ing in front of huge crowds , you’re quick Pickler surprised me , Bindi Irwin sur - competing , but I was kind of living prised me . [ Paralympian ] Amy Purdy my dream in a different way . on lost both of her legs and trying to figure My tour is a rock concert for dance , out how to dance with prosthetic legs , that’s what I want it to feel like . his it was incredible . DEREK I imagine you are still close with the feetHOUGH World of Dance just concluded its third Ballas family . What does that relation - season , what has that experience been ship mean to you and how different do get me in the right place to perform . like for you ? you think your life would be if you Oh man , each season it’s like how are hadn’t crossed paths ? Do you still get the rush of performing we going to top last season and some - They played a huge part in my life and live on stage after all these years ? how , some way those dancers con - journey for sure . I was just with Mark That’s why I love going on tour , there’s stantly surprise us and constantly wow Ballas the other day , he laid down some nothing like that face - to - face connection us . … There’s a lot of energy and elec - guitar tracks for my tour . We are all and relationship with the audience , it’s tricity surrounding it . very close . amazing . It’s funny when I hear certain performers say they don’t like meet and What do you enjoy about working along - You like to post videos on social media greets . I love those VIP experiences before side Jennifer Lopez and Ne - Yo ? What is of you serenading your girlfriend while the show , getting to take photos and your dynamic like behind the scenes ? playing the guitar or that show you hugging and connecting with people . We have a great time , we love what behind a drum kit . Do you play any They are some of my favorite moments we do . We all have a passion about other instruments ? honestly . They give me such energy to dancing and these performers and we Yeah , I play piano , drums and guitar ; go out and perform for them . are a lot more comfortable these days . those are my go - tos . But I’ll be getting life questions from What is the hardest part of your training Jennifer during the break , and it’ll be In addition to playing music , you also that the average person may not even a pretty heavy question that I’m not released an original song a few years realize goes into it ? sure I want to answer on the spot , back . Is making music something you As far as dancing goes , the dancing itself but she has this tractor beam stare . still want to pursue ? is the workout . It’s so dynamic . When I have written a bunch of music this past I’m not dancing , I’m working out and Do aspiring dancers constantly try and year , but I haven’t put anything out . I on my endurance . I’m also singing with pick your brain or ask you for advice plan on putting a lot more music and a band on this tour as well , so those mo - and is being a mentor in that regard content out this year . It’s one of those ments are technically my rest moments . something you embrace ? things where I accumulated a bunch of Being able to share and mentor is where songs over the years and now I’m going What types of songs are you singing ? the fulfillment comes in . The secret to to put some stuff out . We live in a day [ Songs by ] Michael Bublé , I do a medley living is giving and when I’m giving in and age where it’s about sharing and from A Star is Born . any way , I feel alive . putting it out there . You moved to London at the age of 12 When it comes to your acting work , Do you remember the first dance or to train with renowned dancers Mark does your dance background help you dancer you tried to imitate or that in - and Corky Ballas . What was that expe - at all when preparing for a role , is there spired you ? rience like for you not only in terms of any crossover there ? Michael Jackson . And also Gene Kelly . shaping your professional career , but To be completely honest , the thing with Watching old films and seeing him use also from a personal perspective being acting is always learning your lines , his area to do certain dances , I always overseas as a young kid ? memorizing . The physical aspect comes found that really interesting just using I grew up in Utah , in a small city . London more naturally to me , especially when his surroundings as props to choreog - is like a microcosm of the world , there’s it comes to theater or acting on stage . raphy . I love that . so many different cultures , beliefs and people . To be exposed to that huge Do you have a favorite role that you’ve Your sister Julianne is obviously a great variety of culture at a young age , it gave played thus far ? dancer in her own right . Were you two me an insight that I was very thankful The lead role in Footloose on the West always competitive growing up ? for . End in London . It was a breakthrough She was with me . I’m the older brother , for me , my first lead role and it was ex - so it was , “ I want to beat him . ” But she Your sister Julianne joined you in tremely challenging with eight shows a was the younger sister , so I didn’t feel London , and along with the Ballas ’ week . I put a lot of emotion into that that way with her . Until she beat me son Mark , you guys had a couple of character , it was a great role to play . and then I was like , wait a minute , I got different musical acts . Did you think to fix this . that being a rock star was your path If they did a movie on your life , what more so than dancing ? actor would you want to play you ? You won Dancing with the Stars a It’s funny actually ; I would be in the I don’t know , maybe one of the guys record six times . Were you ever sur - gym listening to rock music and en - from Riverdale ; that seems like an age prised at your partners ’ abilities to vision myself on stage . And when I ? appropriate answer . adapt to your world ? was competing around the world danc - SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 16 issue 3 SouthJerseyMagazine.com 44 |