How 'DWTS' Champion Derek Hough Is Using Dancing to His Advantage
With age, Hough is seeing the benefits of being a male dancer.
April 16, 2014 — -- When he was younger, "Dancing with the Stars" champion Derek Hough admits he faced the typical stigma about male dancers.
"You battle with that whole getting picked on for dancing or it being something for girls," Hough told ABC News.
The older he's gotten, the 28-year-old is starting to see the benefits of being a professional dancer -- including a North American tour with his sister Julianne Hough, a national show on ABC and starring in a new movie, "Make Your Move."
Another advantage is that women find professional dancers sexy.
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"For me, there's nothing more masculine than when I'm completely in control of my body and can call upon my body to do whatever I want it to do," he said. "I don't know if women gravitate towards that, that ability to tap into that true inner masculine self, I don't know."
Hough added another benefit of growing and maturing is he finally in a place in his life where he can appreciate love stories, which is the theme of his new movie out Friday.
"It's amazing how much clearer you get when you fall in love with somebody," he told ABC News of how his life now relates to his character Donny.
Though he didn't say whether there was a certain special lady in his life currently, he added, "love clarifies everything, makes it more enjoyable."
Related: Julianne Hough and Derek Hough Announce National Tour
"I see similarities in Donny [his character] and myself, just trying to figure out what it is you're meant to do, following your passion," he added.
Something that was different for the five-time "DWTS" champion was that acting in a movie isn't live like it is in the ballroom or in some of the theater he has done in London.
He said he was pleasantly surprised after he felt he didn't quite nail a take that he would get a second chance.
"With this film, I'd be really mad at myself and they'd say, 'Derek it's okay, we have more shots today,'" he added.