Hayley Erbert Hough, a professional dancer, has shared her latest creation—a bronze sculpture depicting her pregnant self, commemorating her journey into motherhood. The deeply personal artwork, which she commissioned during her pregnancy, holds a special significance for the new mother, who welcomed her first child with husband, Derek Hough, in December 2025.
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On Sunday, 3rd May, the 31-year-old dancer took to Instagram to unveil the sculpture, designed to honour her time carrying daughter Everley. Hayley expressed her emotions as she unwrapped the statue, stating that the experience was particularly moving: “Last but not least, I just received this bronze sculpture of me pregnant with Everley,” she shared on her Instagram Stories, alongside a heartfelt image of the statue that captures her silhouette with her hand gently placed across her chest.
The couple announced the arrival of their daughter with an emotional joint post on social media, introducing Everley to their followers with a black-and-white photograph featuring their hands cradling the infant’s feet. They captioned the touching image: “Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open, and our world is forever changed.”
Before Everley’s birth, Derek Hough shared his excitement about becoming a father on “The Jennifer Hudson Show.” He described moments when he would forget about the impending milestone but would be reminded suddenly, especially when he saw Hayley’s growing bump. “Sometimes I forget, right? I’m doing things, and I just glance over there, and I see her bump, and I’m like, ‘Whoa. I’m going to be a dad,’” he recalled, expressing his eagerness about fatherhood.
The dancer and choreographer also reflected on the moment he first felt his child kick, a sensation he described as profound. “I felt the baby kick for the first time, and it was that feeling that everybody talks about, where all of a sudden everything became vivid and different,” he recounted, revealing the exhilarating anticipation he felt regarding the new responsibilities that fatherhood would bring.
In April, as Hayley embraced her role as a mother, she took to Instagram again to share her candid emotions about parenting. Accompanying a series of photos of herself with Everley, she remarked on the complexities of motherhood, describing it as a journey filled with both joy and sorrow. “Motherhood is even more complex and contradicting than I could have ever imagined,” she admitted, highlighting the emotional duality that comes with nurturing a new life.
Her post conveyed a sense of both celebration and mourning, expressing how she frequently finds herself cherishing Everley’s milestones while also grieving the fleeting moments of her baby’s early days. “I find myself celebrating every little bit of your growth while quietly grieving the version of you that existed just moments before,” she reflected poignantly, encapsulating the rollercoaster of emotions that characterises her new role.
Hayley and Derek seem to be navigating the challenges and joys of parenthood together, providing a supportive and loving environment for their daughter. The couple’s openness about their experiences resonates with many new parents, offering a glimpse into the realities of adapting to life with a newborn.
As they embark on this new chapter, the sculpture stands not only as a piece of decor in their home but also as a cherished reminder of the love and anticipation that filled their lives before Everley’s arrival. The artistry behind the bronze creation will undoubtedly serve as a lasting symbol of their journey into parenthood and the profound changes it brings.