Derek Hough Reflects on ‘Surreal Experience’ of Winning an Emmy amid Wife Hayley Erbert’s Hospital Treatment

“It was a really wild ... being in a hospital room for a month and then in front of thousands of people accepting something like that," Hough told Jennifer Hudson

Derek Hough is reflecting on his “surreal” Emmy win.

The Dancing with the Stars judge, 38, spoke on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Monday about his “crazy” experience receiving a Creative Arts Emmy Award in January amid his wife Hayley Erbert’s recovery from brain surgery.

“It was kind of crazy too because it was such a difficult time in December, to then exactly a month be on stage accepting such a prestigious award in choreography, it was crazy,” Hough said on the show. 

“It was a really wild, kind of surreal experience being in a hospital room for a month and then in front of thousands of people accepting something like that. It was a lot of ups and downs like I said before. It's been wild.”

Hough won the Creative Arts Emmy for outstanding choreography for variety or reality programming for Dancing with the Stars last month. While accepting his award, he gave an emotional speech in honor of his wife, 29, after her craniectomy she had weeks prior in December.

"Exactly a month ago, I was in the hospital. This was a different moment," Hough said tearfully at the time. "A month ago was a life-changing moment that reminded me to really cherish and savor every moment."

He continued, "I want to dedicate this to my beautiful wife. I just flew in from Washington, D.C., last night. Your strength and your courage this whole month has been unbelievable. You inspired me every day.”

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p> During his chat with host Jennifer Hudson on Monday, Hough also gave an update on Erbert’s recovery progress since her surgeries. “She is doing amazing. She is an absolute miracle, miraculous,” he shared.

“It’s been a rollercoaster, it's been wild, but I just have to say again thank you for everyone who has been so supportive and so loving,” Hough added. “It really truly means the world to us all, it really does, my wife and I, so thank you guys.”

On Dec, 7, 2023, Erbert underwent an "emergency craniectomy" after she suffered a cranial hematoma, which is a collection of blood cells within the skull, while on the pair's Symphony of Dance tour stop in Washington, D.C.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Erbert had a second surgery on Dec. 20 to “replace a large portion of her skull” that was removed during the craniectomy. The surgeries took place a just months after Hough and Erbert tied the knot in August 2023.

In a joint Instagram video shared earlier this month, Erbert was seen to be recovering well as she surprised her husband with a "little day date adventure" for Valentine's Day. The video showed the pair going out for breakfast, followed by a walk in the park and shopping, before finishing off the day with dinner.

Erbert explained in the clip that she wanted a day focused on "intention," being grateful," and "spending time with my husband," amid her ongoing recovery from the surgeries.

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