Morning Man Encore: Derek Hough!

Originally posted Sept. 13, 2009

Met Derek Hough at yesterday’s Creative Arts Emmys and decided he was too cute not to make my Morning Man today.

Derek was nominated for his Dancing With the Stars choreography but lost out to some dude from So You Think You Can Dance.

Derek said of his Emmy chances: “I’m not expecting to win, I’m just very happy to be here. It’s an honor. I’m honored and privileged to be a part of such a fantastic show and to be able to create and choreograph these things out of thin air is a lot of fun and I love it.”

I reminded Derek that some of the contestants got injured last season so would be take it a little easier on the choreography?

“No, on the contrary,” he said. “We always have to kind of up our game and make it a bit more daring and exciting each season. I think we should take care of ourselves a little bit more that’s all.”

Derek has been in the press lately because he and Shannon Elizabeth have broken up. They had met on then show when they were paired together as a dance team. I asked how he is doing and he said: “I’m good. Shannon and I, we love each other to death. We’re still really great friends. We still hang out. It’s always good when you can end a relationship like that.”