Derek Hough And Marilu Henner Behind The Eight Ball On ‘Dancing With The Stars’

It’s not unusual for Dancing With the Stars contestants and pros to balance competing priorities while participating in the show. Many celebrities tell harrowing tales of flying cross-country to keep up with appearances, while learning the ballroom routine that could make or break their standing on the show. This year, Derek Hough and Marilu Henner are no different. Hough even revealed in his new blog post for TV Guide that it was already mid-week and the pair had yet to rehearse their next dance.

It’s Eras Week next Monday, and Derek and Marilu will do the Charleston. They also have a team dance that will have them looking ahead — since they are part of “Team Future.” Hough wrote that he was not too concerned about he and Marilu getting in less rehearsal time this week, and even teased a “surprise” in store.

“I think it will be fine. I’m trying to stay ahead of the game and pre-plan so that way tonight when we finally rehearse, we can go full at it. I put a little surprise in there as well.”

In addition to his Dancing With the Stars responsibilities, Hough was getting started this week on another well-known project: the NBC production of Hairspray Live!. He had his first table read with co-stars, which, according to Us Weekly, also includes Martin Short, Jennifer Hudson, and Harvey Fierstein.

Despite the new addition to his schedule, Hough does not think his Hairspray Live! commitments will prevent him from working with Marilu to chase after the mirror ball for the next few weeks of the Dancing With the Stars season. Hough is experiencing a common winter ailment, but still thinks he can juggle everything he needs to do.

“I just need to take care of myself and my voice. I still have a stress cough. It won’t go away for some reason. I’m trying to get rid of that, so hopefully I don’t get sick again!”

Hough has overcome similar challenges before on Dancing With the Stars, such as in Season 20 when he was paired with Nastia Liukin. Because of an injury, his fellow pro, Sasha Farber, had to fill in for him for a few weeks. This year, Derek and Sasha are in competition with one another, as the latter is paired with Little Women: LA star Terra Jole.

But next week, Derek and Marilu and Sasha and Terra will compete on the same side during the team dance. Unlike his upcoming Charleston with Henner, Hough seemed a little uneasy about how the team dance will turn out. The dancers would likely rehearse the piece over the weekend.

“We have a really weird song, but we figured out a narrative. There are still things to create and figure out. It’s things that you think in your mind might be brilliant but when you try it, you’re like, ‘Uh, maybe we should try something else.’ I would say right now, there’s some stuff in our heads and we have to make them a reality when we get together.”

While Hough was focused on his own projects, he took time on his blog to acknowledge the new gig of his close friend and former Dancing With the Stars colleague Mark Ballas.

People reported this week that while Ballas was preparing for his upcoming wedding to BC Jean, he’s also on stage in Jersey Boys. Ballas was enthusiastic about the production.

“This has been a dream come true being a part of ‘Jersey Boys’ and to be the final guy to play Frankie Valli on Broadway.”

Hough, meanwhile, revealed he missed Ballas’ Broadway debut, but his father was on-hand to cheer Mark on, and texted Derek throughout the night with pictures.

Marilu Henner and Derek Hough will take the stage with their quickly-rehearsed Charleston this Monday night on Dancing With the Stars.

[Featured Image by Charley Gallay/Getty Images]