Derek Hough Recalls Horrific Childhood 'Torment' by Bullies: 'They Put a Gun to My Head'

Derek Hough recalls horrific childhood 'torment' by bullies: 'They put a gun to my head'

Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Derek Hough was has recalled suffering horrific childhood "torment" at the hands of bullies, who tied him up by his ankles and put a gun to his head, leaving him "scared and constantly on edge".

‘DTWS’ judge Derek Hough says childhood bullies put gun to his head

‘Dancing With the Stars’ judge Derek Hough has millions of fans worldwide, but he was bullied as a child by kids with guns, he said Monday.

Derek Hough Recalls "Night Terrors" and "Bedwetting" After Childhood Bullies Held a Gun to His Head

The 'Dancing With the Stars' alum shared the emotional impact of the chronic violence.Derek Hough attends the 2026 Disney Upfront at Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on May 12, 2026 in New York City.Credit: Getty ImagesThe GistDerek Hough opened up about the mental health effects of childhood bullies in a May 25 episode of The Bossticks podcast.The dancer recalled being beaten up by his classmates, as well as extreme acts of violence from his n…

Derek Hough Says Childhood Bullies Held Gun To His Head

Derek Hough’s opening up about his childhood struggles -- saying the bullying got so bad that a group of kids held a gun to his head!

Derek Hough Stands Up to His Bullies

Derek Hough is proof your bullies can not get the best of you! He grew up tormented by kids in his neighborhood. He shares all the torture he went through when he was younger. When he finally stood up for himself, it backfired. But he still stayed true to himself and got so far!

Derek Hough reveals childhood bullies put a gun to his head in horrifying story

Derek Hough had a frightening childhood that included being hung from trees, hogtied and having a gun held to his head by neighborhood bullies. The Dancing with the Stars judge opened up about the abuse on “The Bosstick podcast,” recalling how he was targeted both at school and in his Salt Lake City neighborhood for his love of dance. Neighbors ‘tormented’ him as a child @thebossticks “I had to be successful in order to be loved” @derekhough on…