COOL AND CHILL | DEREK HOUGH
It’s always a pleasure to watch those that are truly one with their work! You see their passion and the care that they have for their craft and Derek Hough is one of those people! Whether you’re watching him dance, judge those on Dancing with the Stars, or working with other clients to get their vision to the stage in the way that they want it, he is a man who is full of life and shares that love with everyone who watches him! We had some time to chat with him to find out more about how he became a dancer and choreographer. This 4X Emmy winner for Outstanding Choreographer and 6X Mirror Ball winner for DWTS sat down to talk with us about his life and passion for dance, what we can expect from this season of DWTS and his partnership with Pepcid.
ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with dancing and when did you realize that you wanted to do it as a career?
DEREK HOUGH: I first fell in love with dancing when I was about 11 years old, my mom actually made me go to dance class. I have four sisters and she dragged me to dance. I walked in and I had an amazing teacher and he just made it really cool. He gave me a nickname, Heavy D, and I was like, oh, that's cool. But for me, I fell in love with dance really just with the music, just the way it made me feel, moving my body, syncing it up to the beats and the rhythms. I just fell in love with it, and I got to travel, and compete, and I had a great community. So dancing has been a really important part of my life, not just in the art form of it, but the social aspect of it as well, feeling a part of something, a community. So, yeah, dance has been part of my life for a long time.
AM: Your career has been phenomenal from being a dancer, choreographer, you even choreographed a dance routine for Olympians who were World Ice Champions for Sochi 2014 where they won Gold, you've acted and more! Did you imagine that dancing would allow your creativity to have access to these opportunities?
DH: You know, it's crazy growing up, we always want to be like rock stars, right? You're listening to music and you're playing air guitar on your bed, jumping up and down and imagining being on stage. It's kind of crazy to think that I'm able to sort of live out those childhood dreams but through dance, to go live on stage in front of tens of thousands of people, hundreds of thousands of people, honestly, perform in front of millions of people on television and meet an eclectic group of people. I’ve met astronauts and Oscar winners, Emmy winners, race car drivers, just people from all walks of life because of dance. I met my wife because of dance. I owe so much to this beautiful art form and this sport as well. It's an incredible gift that keeps on giving.
AM: You've been involved with Dancing with the Stars since Season 4 when you were a guest instructor and then in Season 5, you came on as part of the professional cast. What was it about the show that drew you to want to be part of it?
DH: Well, it's funny actually, originally, the producers asked me in season four when I was a guest on there they said, “Are you interested in doing the show?”. I was like, “No, it's not for me.” I'm in London doing a musical and this show isn't really my vibe and then my sister won season four and I was like, “Wait, hold up, hold up. What's this show again? Hold up, what's going on?” So I joined season five. It's funny that people back then were like, “oh, this show, it's so ridiculous, it's not going to be around that long." It's so interesting how it's one of the longest lasting shows honestly, knock on wood, it keeps going. But yeah, I love it, I love it so much. Again, the gift that keeps on giving. It really is, each season is just unique and different every time.
AM: What are you looking forward to this season?
DH: I'm looking forward to obviously all the contestants in their journeys and just seeing how it all evolves. There's a few little things that I'm actually planning, there might be a performance in the future, so I'm preparing for that. I'm looking forward to that, and I think this season holds something special. It's been a very interesting year with lots of highs and lows and challenges, and so to do something on this season, that will be meaningful. I'm looking forward to that, that's all I am going to say without saying too much about it.
AM: Being on the show as well as other projects that you're part of has to be a lot, how do you take time to relax so that you can be ready for the next day?
DH: There's so many different projects that I'm a part of - doing my tour, doing Dancing with the Stars, and it's important. It's about balance and the best way for me to switch off my brain because my brain just keeps going nonstop. One of my favorite things to do actually is I go home and I do my little snacking and streaming, just like we all do. Get home and watch my favorite show and I bust out the snacks and I am a prolific popcorn eater. I love popcorn so much, but it doesn't love me, but I had to have it anyways. It actually works out great because to manage that sort of heartburn if I overdo it, I have Pepcid Max Icy Cool Mint and it just works really fast, it lasts all night unlike those antacids, and it provides an instant cooling sensation, which is great and again, it lasts all night. So I kind of call it my Chilling with Pepcid. I'm chilling with Pepcid, but that way I can enjoy my snacks, I can enjoy my shows, my hot sauces. Honestly, before I actually go on stage as well when I go on tour, because there's nothing worse than when you eat something and you go on stage, you have to sing and perform and talk and host, and you just have that burning sensation. So it's great to have that instant cooling sensation with Pepcid Max Icy Cool Mint. (Editor’s Note: Based on 9-hour acid control studies during the day and 12-hour acid control studies during the night. Acid control does not imply symptom relief.)
AM: Obviously, dancing is a total body workout, what are other things that you do to stay in shape as well?
DH: Lots of stretching, I do yoga, working out, and just strength exercises to sort of engage the muscles to turn them on. Speaking of icy cool, man, it’s ice baths pretty much twice a day and just PT work. I have to do all the things, you know what I mean? I'm almost 40 years old and I was told that my dancing career will be over by like 22 years old. So I'm like, we'll see about that. It's important that I'm mindful and I take care of my body for longevity and I do anything and everything I can to sort of maintain that. There's lots that goes into it for sure.
AM: When you're traveling due to tours or being on set, what are your must have travel essentials?
DH: My dog, my baby, Luna, she's sort of the emotional therapy dog. I must have water. My physical therapist is a must have, I have to have that because the training is so vigorous and the performance is so intense, that we need to have that. I'm a pretty simple guy, honestly. I'm pretty simple, you know, my rider, you know, how people have riders, like, in their things, I’m pretty basic. I'm pretty boring, honestly. I should be a little bit more of a diva honestly but I'm not, I'm really simple, I just like simple things. When I get back on the bus, especially on days off, I just enjoy myself with the snacks. All the snacks, popcorn, nuts, I love chips and salsa, jalapenos. I love jalapenos so much, I can just eat them in a bowl just raw by themselves, it's delicious. Some chocolate stuff, peanut M&M's, Red Vines.
AM: You have partnered with Pepcid recently. Why was this synergistic with you to work with them?
DH: I think that that's part of it really, was that ability to sort of have something on hand that works fast, it lasts all night, and when I perform where I get that heartburn before going on stage and to have that instant relief that, that cooling sensation, it's really genuinely, really helpful. It also allows me to have a bit more balance in my life to enjoy myself a little bit. I have a really strict regimen in my training and when I'm on tour and my diet and everything I do, but it's also nice to just enjoy myself, and just chill and snack, snack down a little bit and popcorn doesn't love me, but I still love popcorn.
IG @derekhough
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | PG 64 -69 Disney/Eric McCandless | PG 70 Jesse Bauer |
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Featured
GOLDEN GLOBES 2019 | BEST DRESSED ON THE RED CARPET
Our favorite looks from the Red Carpet at the Golden Globes are below! Of course, we are sharing all the details on the outfits and accessories and will share more details in terms of getting the hair and makeup looks as well. Keep coming back to see updated on our favorite stars and why we love their looks. See the full list of winners from the Golden Globes - including the predictions that we guessed correctly.
DARREN CRISS
CELEBRITY GROOMER: Kindra Mann
SUIT: Dior Pre-Fall by Mr. Kim Jones
SHOES: -
Darren won Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television. The cast has also won Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.
We chatted with Makeup Artist Kindra Mann to walk us through creating his grooming look:
SKIN:
First, she started off by prepping Darren’s skin using the NEW Goddess Cleansing Ritual Dual Cleanser. This two-step miracle spa-in-a-jar duo is perfect for a fresh, perfectly spa-cleansed complexion, and the essential oils help to calm, hydrate and soothe even the most sensitive complexion. She started by massaging Ritual 1, the Radiance Citrus Oil into the complexion to remove any surface impurities, and then I used Ritual 2, the Purifying Bamboo Charcoal pollution solution to adsorb any deeper rooted build-up. This incredible cleanser leaves men’s complexions looking so clean, glowing and refreshed.
Next, she applied the soothing, calming Goddess Skin Clay Mask – the Spanish clays bring down any redness, and the oils instantly moisturize. I followed this with the Revolutionary Instant Magic Facial Dry Sheet Mask for 15 minutes – the bio-mimetic technology delivers the ingredients to the third layer of the epidermis. This mask is a skin savior.
To ensure the skin was properly hydrated and looking it’s best, I applied Charlotte’s Magic Cream. This award-winning, hydrating moisturizer features a uniquely magical blend of oils & actives - a ‘magic 8’ of skin-savior ingredients that includes Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamins C & E, BioNymph Peptide, Aloe Vera & Shea Butter - for radiant, healthier-looking skin. Magic Cream is Magic Skin!
Lastly, to help brighten and re-energize the eye area, she used her ring finger to gently apply the Magic Eye Rescue Cream. This incredible gel-cream has stem cell extract that protects and rejuvenates and brightens the eye area!
FACE:
To even out Darren’s complexion and mask any imperfections, she applied Unisex Healthy Glow Hydrating Tint that gives you a healthy, holiday glow in seconds. I followed this with a little Light Wonder Foundation in Shade 5 using the Magic Complexion Brush.
To combat any shine that might come up throughout the night, she used the Powder and Sculpt Brush and applied the Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder in Shade 2 along the T-zone, followed by a light dusting of Charlotte’s Genius Magic Powder in Shade 2 all over the face.
BROWS:
Lastly, she applied a little Legendary Brow Gel in Perfect Brow to keep the brows in place and complete the grooming process.
JULIA ROBERTS
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Elizabeth Stewart
ENSEMBLE: Custom Stella McCartney
JEWELRY: Chopard Jewels
SHOES: Alexandre Birman
Julia is nominated this evening for her work in Amazon’s series Homecoming.
GEMMA CHAN
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Rebecca Corbin-Murray
CELEBRITY MUA: Monika Blunder
CELEBRITY HAIR STYLIST: Clariss Rubenstein
DRESS: Valentino gown
SHOES: Christian Louboutin
JEWELRY: Forevermark
The Crazy Rich Asians cast is nominated for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
Gemma’s classy up do was created by her hair stylist, Clariss Rubenstein. We found out how you can rock her hairstyle.
“I started Gemma from dry hair. I first sprayed her hair with water to dampen it so that it would absorb product easily and so I could add a bit of volume with a blow dryer. I ran the Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Big Volume Perfectly Full Thickening Cream perfectly through her hair from root to end and brushed through thoroughly.”
“I sectioned the hair and blow dried the roots using a ceramic blow dryer and round brush. Then, I ran a curling iron through her hair to give it a slight bend. Then I brushed it with a round bristle brush.”
“I sprayed a few puffs of Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Big Volume Volumizing Super Powder at the crown and top of her head.”
“Using only my fingers I secured a ponytail at the back of her head. I then split the ponytail in three and did a messy loose braid. Then I secured the braid into a bun with French hair pins and applied the Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Big Volume Thick & Full Hairspray on my hands to add a bit of texture to the hair around the face.
“I gave the overall look a quick spray with the Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Big Volume Thick & Full Hairspray without taking away some of the great wispy pieces that make the hair look perfectly imperfect.”
CONSTANCE WU
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Micaela Erlanger
CELEBRITY FACIALIST: Joanna Vargas
DRESS: Custom Vera Wang
SHOES: Giuseppe Zanotti
CLUTCH: Roger Vivier
JEWELRY: Messika
Constance is nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her role in Crazy Rich Asians. Crazy Rich Asians is also nominated for Best Picture – Musical or Comedy.
KERI RUSSELL
DRESS: Monique Lhuillier
CELEBRITY FACIALIST: Joanna Vargas
Keri is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series for her role in The Americans.
MOLLY SIMS
DRESS: Marchesa
SHOES: Jimmy Choos
ACCESSORIES: Lorraine Schwartz
ALLISON BRIE
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Erin Walsh
DRESS: Vera Wang
ACCESSORIES: Harry Winston jewels
SHOES: Jimmy Choo
CLUTCH: Jimmy Choo
Allison is nominated this evening for her work on the Netflix series Glow!
DEREK HOUGH
SUIT: J. Crew
SHOES: Tom Ford
RYAN SEACREST
SUIT: Ryan Seacrest Distinction Collection
SHOES: Givenchy
MARIO LOPEZ
SUIT: Samuelsohn
TARAJI P. HENSON
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Jason Bolden
CELEBRITY MUA: Ashunta Sheriff
CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLIST: Tym Wallace
DRESS: Custom Vera Wang
JEWELRY: Roberto Coin
Celebrity Makeup Artist, Ashunta Sheriff created the makeup look for Taraji and believes that, “Flashing has become mine and Taraji’s ritual before every major red-carpet event. The theme of this look was GLOW, and nothing makes makeup glow more than DERMAFLASH LUXE—it removes the dead layer of skin including peach fuzz to leave behind silk baby smooth skin which only makes makeup GLOW that much more!”
SAOIRSE RONAN
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Elizabeth Saltzman
CELEBRITY MUA: Kara Shimotobua
CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLIST: Ben Skervin
DRESS: Custom Gucci gown
CLUTCH: Gucci
SHOES: Gucci
JEWELRY: Chopard jewels
Saoirse presented the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy to Christian Bale.
EMILY BLUNT
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Jessica Paster
CELEBRITY MUA: Jenn Streicher
CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLIST: Laini Reeves
CELEBRITY MANICURIST: Jenna Hipp
DRESS: Alexander McQueen gown
SHOES:
JEWELRY: Neil Lane pair of 19th century hand cut diamond earrings (approximately 10-carats each), two 19th century diamond flower hair pins, a ruby & diamond ring and an antique cut diamond ring set in silver and gold.
Emily is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her role in Mary Poppins Returns.
THANDIE NEWTON
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Erin Walsh
DRESS: Custom Michael Kors Collection
Thandie was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for her work on the HBO show Westworld.
KRISTIN CAVALLARI
CELEBRITY STYLIST: Mimi Cuttrell
CELEBRITY MUA: Ash K Holm
CELEBRITY HAIRSTYLIST: Justine Marjan
DRESS: Amen Style
JEWELRY: Chopard Jewelry
Kristin provided insight into who she believed would wear a number of designers on Live From the E! Red Carpet pre show.
DOMINIQUE JACKSON
CELEBRITY STYLIST: -
MUA: John Mendez
HAIRSTYLIST: Justine Marjan
DRESS: Marc Bouwer
JEWELRY: -
Renée Bargh
STYLIST: Julie Kozak
JEWELRY: Neil Lane pearl, diamond & platinum earrings, a diamond & pearl 2-stone gold & platinum ring and a diamond & platinum ring.
Catch up on the latest at Athleisure Mag.
Featured Awards Season 2019
