Bethany Mota And Derek Hough Dating? ‘DWTS’ Partners Address Relationship Rumors

Bethany Mota and Derek Hough have been rumored to be dating since almost the moment they hit the Dancing with the Stars dance floor and displayed their amazing chemistry, and now the pair are finally taking on the rumors of their relationship.

Most of the dating rumors for Mota and Hough have come via the internet, with wishful fans hoping that the pair hook up. Much like Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Meryl Davis before them, the couple’s fans have yearned to see them get together beyond the dance floor.

Now, Derek Hough is talking about these internet-fueled dating rumors. In an interview with Access Hollywood, he said he has learned all about “shipping,” the terminology for when fans wish a couple to be in a relationship together. Hough seemed to joke about the idea, though he didn’t say what he thinks about all the fans shipping him and Mota.

Bethany Mota and Derek Hough have already faced plenty of dating rumors. Their chemistry on the dance floor has led to speculation that they are getting close in real life as well. An October report from OK! Magazine indicated that the 19-year-old Mota and her 29-year-old dance partner may be falling for each other.

The report came after Bethany Mota tweeted a picture of Derek carrying her luggage as the pair prepared for a trip to Australia together.

“We’re off to Australia! Look how sweet @derekhough is carrying my luggage #TeamMOTOUGH is back!!!” she wrote.

Derek also had great things to say about Mota in his blog for TV Guide, during a week in which he swapped partners and hit the floor with Sadie Robertson.

“Bethany’s intro package was incredibly powerful,” he wrote. “I’ve never seen her like that. She doesn’t really get upset. She’s always laughing and goofing off. I was watching the package for the first time and I’m seeing her cry and get emotional, so I walked over and gave her a hug.”

After the trip, Derek Hough also had plenty of praise for the influence that Bethany Mota has with her fans.

“I went to Sydney and I saw the impact of what she makes on all these young girls, they call themselves the Mota-vators,” he said. “It’s been amazing to go into her world and see, you know, her influence. It’s been amazing.”

But fans who want to “ship” Bethany Mota and Derek Hough may have to keep it in their imaginations. There is no confirmation that the pair are dating officially, and neither has spoken out on the rumors directly.