In this week’s exclusive PEOPLE magazine cover story — which dropped like a glitter bomb on January 21, 2026 — the Dancing with the Stars judge and his professional dancer wife share never-before-heard details about Everley’s arrival on December 29, 2025, the deeply personal meaning behind her beautiful name, and how their little girl has become the ultimate ‘rainbow after the storm’ following years of heartbreaking challenges.

The couple, who tied the knot in a dreamy 2023 California ceremony after a decade together, announced Everley’s birth in a tender Instagram post from Derek on January 5, 2026: ‘December 29, 2025 Everley Capri Hough 🤍 Every step of our lives has led us to you. Our hearts have been cracked wide open and our world is forever changed.’

But now, in their first major sit-down since becoming parents, Derek, 40, and Hayley, 31, are pulling back the curtain on the raw, real, and ridiculously romantic journey to this moment.

A home birth straight out of a fairy tale

Hayley gave birth to Everley in the most intimate setting imaginable: their Los Angeles home, surrounded by candles, soft music, and an atmosphere of pure serenity.

‘We had candles everywhere, beautiful music playing,’ Derek recalled in the PEOPLE interview. ‘To be in the room during Hayley’s labor, holding her… She just became power. I was in awe the whole time. I was like, ‘Damn. Y’all women are badasses.’’

The couple described the experience as ‘beautiful’ and complication-free — a stark, triumphant contrast to the medical emergencies that had shadowed their path to parenthood.

Hayley, ever the graceful warrior, reflected on the profound shift: ‘Literally every time I see Derek and Everley together, I just start crying.’ Derek added with a laugh through misty eyes that the tears aren’t from the baby — they’re from watching his wife, the strongest person he knows, finally hold their daughter after everything they’ve endured.

The name that took a week to seal — and its ‘beautiful’ significance

Choosing Everley’s name wasn’t rushed. In fact, it took nearly a full week after her birth for the couple to make it official — a decision that felt deeply right once it clicked.

‘Everley was always at the top of a list that I had,’ Hayley explained exclusively to PEOPLE. ‘I actually saw this post… It felt right. It just was a feeling.’

The spelling holds extra magic: the last three letters mirror Hayley’s own name (Erbert), creating a subtle, sentimental connection between mother and daughter.

Middle name Capri adds another layer of personal poetry — a nod to sun-soaked memories, perhaps, or simply the way it rolled off the tongue perfectly with Everley.

Derek called it ‘beautiful’ — a word the couple returns to again and again when describing this new chapter.

The rainbow after unimaginable storms

Everley’s arrival is more than a happy ending; it’s a miracle born from profound hardship.

The couple has been open about their struggles: a devastating miscarriage before this pregnancy, and Hayley’s terrifying health crisis in late 2023 when she suffered a near-fatal brain bleed following a freak accident. She underwent emergency brain surgery, spent weeks in recovery, and faced the scary reality of potential long-term effects.

Derek stood by her side every step, canceling tour dates and putting his career on hold to care for his wife. Hayley later shared raw updates about relearning basic movements and the emotional toll of it all.

In the PEOPLE piece, they describe Everley as their ‘rainbow baby’ — a term for a child born after loss — and point to a striking sign from the universe: a double rainbow on Christmas Day 2025, just days before Everley’s due date (which she famously arrived 11 days ‘late,’ tying into Hayley’s October 11 birthday numerology).

‘To see Hayley go from where she was to now is amazing,’ Derek said. ‘My daughter has a great example here.’

Hayley, beaming in new-mom glow, added: ‘Our special little rainbow.’

From dancefloor sparks to forever family

Derek and Hayley first connected professionally — she as a backup dancer on his tours and in his live shows — but the chemistry was undeniable. They went public with their romance in 2015, weathered the ups and downs of Hollywood, and finally said ‘I do’ in a sun-drenched outdoor ceremony surrounded by loved ones, including Derek’s sister Julianne Hough.

Their wedding was a celebration of resilience — Hayley had only recently recovered from her surgery, walking down the aisle with strength that moved everyone to tears.

Now, as parents, they’re savoring every tiny milestone: Everley’s first sleepy smiles, the way she curls into Derek’s arms during late-night feeds, and Hayley’s quiet awe at her changing body postpartum.

‘Our world is forever changed,’ Derek posted alongside the first family snaps. Fans flooded the comments with love: ‘Welcome to the world, Everley Capri!’ ‘You two deserve every bit of this happiness!’ ‘Rainbow baby perfection!’

The bigger picture: A new era for DWTS royalty

Derek — a six-time Dancing with the Stars Mirrorball champion turned judge — has always balanced his high-energy career with a grounded personal life. Hayley, a talented dancer in her own right, stepped back from performing after her health scare but remains a creative force behind the scenes.

With Everley here, expect the couple to share more glimpses — tasteful, heartfelt ones — of family life amid Derek’s ongoing DWTS commitments and potential new projects.

But for now, it’s all about those quiet, tear-soaked moments at home.

‘Every step of our lives has led us to you,’ Derek wrote.

And what a beautiful path it’s been — through pain, perseverance, and now pure, overwhelming joy.

Congratulations to Derek, Hayley, and little Everley Capri Hough — proof that sometimes the most magical dances happen off the ballroom floor.

What do you think of Everley’s name and the couple’s incredible journey? Are you tearing up too? Drop your thoughts in the comments — the love is already pouring in!