‘DWTS’ star Derek Hough spends Thanksgiving with nephew, niece

Derek Hough took to Instagram to share how he spent Thanksgiving. This is almost three days after his dance partner Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late “The Crocodile Hunter” star Steve Irwin, won “Dancing With the Stars” Season 21 on Nov. 24.

“Watching a movie but Uncle D is knackered. #thanksgiving,” the “DWTS” star captioned a photo of himself with his niece Ariana Phillips and his nephew Aidian Poole. Phillips is Katherine Hough’s daughter while Poole is Marabeth Hough’s son.

Derek is the only son of Bruce Hough and Marianne Hough, who met in college on a ballroom dancing team. Aside from Katherine and Marabeth, his other sisters are Sharee Hough and Julianne Hough, who is also a two-time professional champion of “DWTS.”

After the “DWTS” Season 21 finale, Derek said Bindi is one of the greatest contestants the ABC dance competition show has ever had not only in terms of talent but also in terms of personality. In an article he wrote on TV Guide, he described the Australian teen conservationist as a “tremendous soul” and a “wonderful human being.”

For Derek, he is not exaggerating when he says he never met anyone like Bindi before. He said he is 13 years older to her but she has taught her so much about love, joy and life.

The “DWTS” Season 21 runner-up was Nick Carter, who was the partner of Shana Burgess. The third placer was Alek Skarlatos, who was the partner of Lindsay Arnold.

In an interview with AOL, Julianne revealed the advice she gave Carter before the “DWTS” Season 21 finale. Derek’s sister said when she mentored the former Backstreet Boys member, she told him, “This is the finale. You guys are exhausted at this point in the competition, so just go out there, leave it all on the dance floor and give it everything you have .”

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