Derek Hough is singing Celine Dion’s praises after watching her new Prime Video documentary, I Am: Celine Dion. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Thursday, the Dancing With the Stars judge shared his admiration for the legendary singer after viewing the film, which delves into Dion’s ongoing battle with stiff-person syndrome. The documentary struck a personal chord for Hough, reminding him of a health scare his wife, Hayley Erbert, had experienced.
Hough reflected on the time they were fortunate enough to meet Dion a couple of years ago, describing her as a “firecracker” and recalling how nervous they were to meet the music icon, particularly Hayley, who is a devoted fan. His post highlighted both the emotional impact of the documentary and the lasting impression Dion left on them during their encounter.
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Derek Hough took to Instagram to express his deep admiration for Celine Dion after watching her new Prime Video documentary, I Am: Celine Dion. He shared that the film, directed by Irene Taylor, skillfully captures both Dion’s ongoing struggles with stiff-person syndrome (SPS) and her quirky, humorous side. Hough, who posted footage of himself and his wife Hayley Erbert singing and dancing with Dion during a past meeting, reflected on how special that moment was, especially for Erbert, a devoted fan.
However, Hough also acknowledged the emotional difficulty of watching the documentary, particularly a scene that showed one of Dion’s SPS seizures in real-time. He described it as “so hard to watch” and noted how it reminded him of a similar experience with Erbert, who suffered a seizure on the side of the stage just months ago. Erbert, who married Hough last year, was hospitalized and underwent an emergency craniectomy following the incident, eventually returning to the stage in April after recovering from cranioplasty surgery.
The specific scene Hough mentioned occurs toward the end of the documentary, where Dion experiences a seizure in her foot during a physical therapy session. Despite the painful episode, Dion is shown gradually regaining control and eventually singing and dancing by the end of her appointment.
Hough concluded his post by praising Dion as a “legend” with a “one in a billion voice,” expressing his hope that she heals and returns to the stage she loves so much. His heartfelt words reflect both his admiration for Dion’s resilience and his personal connection to the challenges she faces.
