USA TODAY International Edition
Hough goes out in his Disney costume
Going stir- crazy in quarantine? You’re not alone. Celebrities are cooped up in their homes across the country just like the rest of us. As we collectively navigate this uncharted territory, USA TODAY presents Quarantine Diaries, which give readers a peek into how our favorite stars are spending their time at home.
Today’s diarist is “Dancing With the Stars” six- time champion Derek Hough, who romped to “Chim Chim Cher- ee” with girlfriend and fellow quarantiner Hayley Erbert on Sunday’s “The Disney Family Singalong 2.” ( The couple re- created “Be Our Guest” for the first singalong last month.) Here’s what life is like for multi- threat entertainer Hough, 34, who appears as a judge on NBC’s “World of Dance” fourth season ( returns May 26). – As told to Bryan Alexander
8 a. m. Sometimes we sleep in, but often we get up about 8 with our cat nuzzling our faces. The bed becomes this animal affair with two cats ( Lily and Palo) and dog Romie jumps in at about 7. Most of the time, we don’t have breakfast. I drink this green shake in the morning, my favorite thing, with super- green powder and vitamins. I mix it with mango- flavored Pre- Workout. It’s healthy and gives a little boost.
9 a. m. The thing I love doing right now that I’ve never really had time to do, but I obviously have a lot of time now, is gardening. It’s springtime, so everything is blooming. I’m outside for a solid hour in the morning, picking weeds, watering the plants, admiring the new growth. There’s something very peaceful and nurturing. It’s amazing that gardening is my new favorite thing to do in the morning.
11 a. m. We try to work out every day, do something physical. Especially right now. motion equals emotion. Whenever I’m not moving, my brain starts going a little busy. We do something outside or in the garage. I just need to move.
On creating televised routines from home: Choreographing with limited home space has definitely required creativity. But it focuses me. Normally you have a camera operator. But it’s just Hayley and me. We have to fix the camera, perform, look at it. And it’s like we moved out of frame or the angle’s not good. Constant trial and error. Fortunately, we’ve been part of a lot of shows and tours. So a lot of the costumes didn’t make it back to wardrobe, they make it back to our closets. Like those chimney sweep outfits or the Belle costume.
I did see my neighbor outside while I was in full Lumiere costume and I was like, “Don’t even ask me about it.” That was hilarious.
On dancing for stress relief: When
I’m dancing professionally or to create something, I’m in that zone. When I’m just dancing for fun, it doesn’t look good. I kind of dance like a fool, honestly, like that embarrassing uncle at a wedding. But the truth is, moving around freely with no rules is definitely liberating and makes you feel good.
6 p. m. We start making dinner. I don’t know my way around the kitchen at all. I’m a sous chef to Hayley. I call it “Hayl’s Kitchen.” She directs, “Wash this, watch this, peel this.” We like to watch shows like “The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes” while we cook. I just love architecture. So there’s often times we’ll be cooking and I’ll fall into a daze watching and she’ll be like, “Babe, we need those things.” And I’m like, “Sorry, sorry.” But it’s fun and nice to create something. I clean up afterward. That way, I feel I’ve done my part.
Dessert treat: We eat healthy all day. But after dinner is when the candy, popcorn, chips and salsa, and Twizzlers come out. Hayley has made her own ice cream, mint chocolate chip. I was like, “I didn’t know we had that machine.” She made something called S’mores Yumminess. It’s graham- cracker crust with marshmallow fluff and chocolate, more graham cracker on top. She bakes it, and it’s insane. She’s surprising me with these skills.
On working through relationships: After six weeks of being with each other 24/ 7 is when we started to become like, “OK, we might’ve reached our limit here.” But it’s been really good, actually. If we don’t agree on something or get into an argument, it’s very short- lived. Because at this moment of time, we’re just thankful for our health and for everything. We don’t take that for granted. Also, when you’re with somebody, it’s not like, “OK, I’m leaving, I’m going to go cool off out here.” It’s like, “OK, we’ve got to figure this out as fast as possible.” So it’s been good.
What I’m streaming: We knocked out “Tiger King” pretty quickly. Fascinating and disturbing. We managed to get through “Ozark,” all three seasons. We’re loving Netflix’s “Queer Eye,” which is a great transformational show.
11 p. m. I head to bed at night like 11. This is after we’ll watch something on the couch. She’s out after like 30 seconds, mouth agape out cold. But I’ll watch the movie or the show until about 11.
When quarantine ends: We’re going to Yosemite or a national park that is just beautiful. Nature is just the ultimate. Right now with the cats, we’re seeing straight up “National Geographic.” When you watch them all day, you see behavior you’ve never seen before.