This Is Who Will Replace Derek Hough In The DWTS Finale
It's been a thrilling and eventful Season 30 in the "Dancing with the Stars" ballroom! While fans are excited about the finale airing on November 22, not all of the expected cast will be in attendance. It's sometimes easy to forget, given how "back to normal"-ish many things feel, that the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging, and as a result, former pro and current judge Derek Hough will not be appearing on the "DWTS" finale.
On November 16, Hough announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19 via Instagram despite being fully vaccinated. While the majority of illnesses and deaths from the disease are among unvaccinated people, according to the CDC, no vaccine is 100% effective and there are still breakthrough cases, especially given the strength of the Delta variant. "DWTS" pro Cheryl Burke and her partner, Peloton instructor Cody Rigsby, had both gotten sick from coronavirus earlier in the season, missing the October 4 episode, according to Insider.
Hough also missed the October 4 episode to quarantine, out of an abundance of caution after he was exposed to the virus. It's not clear what sort of exposure that was, but as Hough has been flying to Las Vegas weekly for his residency there, perhaps it isn't surprising that he was more exposed. Now, with the airing of the "DWTS" finale at hand, fans are wondering who could possibly fill the favorite judge's dance shoes.
Derek Hough's replacement is someone close to him
With his recent positive diagnosis for COVID-19, Derek Hough sadly will not be in attendance for the anticipated "Dancing with the Stars" finale on November 22. Filling in for him will be someone very close to Hough — both in relationship, in style, and even in looks.
It was announced on the "DWTS" Instagram that Derek's sister Julianne Hough will be taking her brother's place behind the judge's table. Like Derek, Julianne is a former pro on the long-running dance series, appearing on the show from 2007 to 2009. While she doesn't hold the record for the most Mirror Ball trophies — only her brother Derek holds that title, with six — she has taken home the trophy twice, and in succession. She won in Season 4 while partnered with Olympic speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno, and then again the following year, dancing with race car driver Hélio Castroneves.
Again, like Derek, Julianne also served as a judge for the dance competition from 2014 to 2017, starting in Season 19 and staying through Season 24. For the Season 30 finale, she'll again join longtime judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Len Goodman. While it's sad Derek will not be able to complete this season of "Dancing with the Stars," we're sure the show will be in good hands with Julianne. We wish Derek a speedy recovery.