Brooke Burke recently opened up about her time on “Dancing with the Stars” and the temptation she felt to have a romantic relationship with her dance partner, Derek Hough. During a conversation with fellow “DWTS” alum Cheryl Burke on the “S*x, Lies, and Spray Tans” podcast, Brooke candidly revealed her feelings and experiences.
At the time of her appearance on the show in 2008, Brooke was married to her then-husband, David Charvet. Despite being in a committed relationship, she admitted that the close bond she shared with her dance partner, the 23-year-old Derek Hough, made her contemplate the possibility of a romantic fling.
“Had I not been married … I would have actually hoped we would have had a love affair,” Brooke confessed during the podcast.
She elaborated on her attraction to Derek, highlighting the unique intimacy that comes with dancing. As a dancer, you become intimately connected with your partner’s body, creating a level of connection that can be as profound as that with a lover or spouse. Brooke described feeling more connected to Derek than she had ever felt with anyone else besides her husband.
For three months, they rehearsed and performed in close proximity, and this physical and emotional closeness naturally fostered a deep connection. Brooke explained that dancing can be more intimate than making love in a bedroom, as it involves trust, sharing fears, and the experience of doing something entirely new together. This intense connection led to her developing feelings for Derek, akin to having a crush.
However, Brooke acknowledged that the start of their partnership wasn’t all smooth sailing. Derek was tough on her and provided brutally honest feedback, which she appreciated. While he didn’t offer constant praise, his dedication to pushing her to be her best ultimately helped her succeed on the show.
Derek Hough’s personal life has also seen significant developments since his time on “DWTS.” The 38-year-old dancer and current “DWTS” judge tied the knot with Hayley Erbert, his fellow dancer and longtime love, in August. Their wedding took place in Monterey County, California, with 160 guests in attendance. The couple had been in a relationship for over seven years before taking the plunge and saying their “I dos.”
