Derek Houghdidn’t have the easiest time when he first started out onDancing with the Stars.During a recent appearance on theWhine Down With Jana Kramerpodcast, Hough opened up about how he struggled when he first joined the ABC competition series as a pro dancer.“I definitely look back at my approach to the show. Like, in my earlier seasons, I was nervous, you know, and I was uncertain. I was kind of faking it, to be honest with you,” the 36-year-old toldJana Kramer. “I wasn’t really like a teacher or choreographer. People used to say, ‘Oh, you’re a good choreographer,’ but I never really looked at myself in that way. That made me fearful and afraid.“Hough added: “I definitely would get more frustrated easier in my earlier seasons.“Derek Hough and Jennifer Grey on Dancing with the Stars Season 11.Adam Larkey/Walt Disney Television via GettyReflecting on his former approach with his celebrity partners, Hough said: “I think, ‘Man, I wish I knew then what I know now,’ and how I shifted my approach to teaching and coaching.““I probably could have gotten more out of them with a better teaching approach, which I eventually learned and created,” he continued. “It’s not so much on them, more of myself. I wish I was better early on and I could have given them a better chance and experience.“Hough first joinedDancing with the Starsas a pro in the show’s fifth season, which aired in 2007. Before exiting the series in 2016, he won the Mirrorball Trophy six times with his celebrity partners.He returned toDancing with the Starslast year as a judge, filling longtime judgeLen Goodman’s spot.“It’s definitely a lot easier, that’s for sure,” he said of judging compared to dancing. “It always cracks me up when people say, ‘What’s harder, judging or dancing?’ Like, what? I was like, ‘Dancing, of course.'“Gabe Ginsberg/GettyNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Hough will return to the judges’ table alongside Goodman, 77,Carrie Ann InabaandBruno TonioliforDancing with the Stars' milestone 30th season.Tyra Bankswill also reprise her hosting duties.As part of the judges' panel, Hough told Kramer, 37, that he wants to “give some sort of critique that is helpful” to the contestants.Dancing with the Starspremieres Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Derek Houghdidn’t have the easiest time when he first started out onDancing with the Stars.
During a recent appearance on theWhine Down With Jana Kramerpodcast, Hough opened up about how he struggled when he first joined the ABC competition series as a pro dancer.
“I definitely look back at my approach to the show. Like, in my earlier seasons, I was nervous, you know, and I was uncertain. I was kind of faking it, to be honest with you,” the 36-year-old toldJana Kramer. “I wasn’t really like a teacher or choreographer. People used to say, ‘Oh, you’re a good choreographer,’ but I never really looked at myself in that way. That made me fearful and afraid.”
Hough added: “I definitely would get more frustrated easier in my earlier seasons.”
Derek Hough and Jennifer Grey on Dancing with the Stars Season 11.Adam Larkey/Walt Disney Television via Getty
Reflecting on his former approach with his celebrity partners, Hough said: “I think, ‘Man, I wish I knew then what I know now,’ and how I shifted my approach to teaching and coaching.”
“I probably could have gotten more out of them with a better teaching approach, which I eventually learned and created,” he continued. “It’s not so much on them, more of myself. I wish I was better early on and I could have given them a better chance and experience.”
Hough first joinedDancing with the Starsas a pro in the show’s fifth season, which aired in 2007. Before exiting the series in 2016, he won the Mirrorball Trophy six times with his celebrity partners.
He returned toDancing with the Starslast year as a judge, filling longtime judgeLen Goodman’s spot.
“It’s definitely a lot easier, that’s for sure,” he said of judging compared to dancing. “It always cracks me up when people say, ‘What’s harder, judging or dancing?’ Like, what? I was like, ‘Dancing, of course.'”
Gabe Ginsberg/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Hough will return to the judges’ table alongside Goodman, 77,Carrie Ann InabaandBruno TonioliforDancing with the Stars' milestone 30th season.Tyra Bankswill also reprise her hosting duties.
As part of the judges' panel, Hough told Kramer, 37, that he wants to “give some sort of critique that is helpful” to the contestants.
Dancing with the Starspremieres Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com
