Derek Hough Opens Up About Childhood Bullying
Hough will receive the "Inspirational Award" for his work to prevent bullying
— -- Derek Hough is known around the world thanks to his dancing skills that have made him a five-time champion on ABC's “Dancing With the Stars.”
But growing up, Hough says he was bullied and the fact he was a dancer made him an easy target.
“They would tie my ankles up with, you know, with rope and hang [me] up in a tree,” Hough, 29, told "Good Morning America"'s Abbie Boudreau of how some of his peers treated him.
“My mom, you know, she basically told me to, she's like, 'Listen, touch them back, you know, and hit them,’” he said. “So I did.”
Hough's memoir, “, “Taking the Lead: Lessons from a Life in Motion,” was released in August. In his book, he explains how being bullied taught him to focus on the one thing that made him happy: dancing.
“It was very sort of positive,” Hough said. “I was like, ‘Wait, this is actually, this is great.’”
Despite his success on the dance floor, Hough never forgot the years of bullying he endured.
“I get kind of even emotional right now thinking about it,” he said. “I didn’t even realize, I think, that I was running away from something.”
Hough combined two elements of his past--dancing and memories of being bullied--on a recent episode of “Dancing With the Stars,” where he is partnered this season with YouTube star Bethany Mota.
The pair performed a rumba choreographed by Hough to “Try,” sung live by singer Colbie Caillat that recalled 2009, when Mota started posting videos on YouTube after being bullied.
Tonight, at an event in California, Hough will be honored for bringing bullying into the spotlight by the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network at the organization’s Respect Awards.
"I'm getting the Inspirational Award, which is a huge honor,” Hough said.
The honor for Hough comes as he hopes to share an important message with the world.
“Let’s be more cautious and conscious about things that we say to people and what we do,” Hough said. “And, also, it’s important to forgive.”
The last part of Hough’s message is one on which he says he has followed through.
“Oh, absolutely,” Hough said when asked if he has forgiven his bullies.