LOS ANGELES – DEC 16: Derek Hough arrives for the ÔStar Wars: The Rise of SkywalkerÕ Premiere on December 16, 2019 in Hollywood, CA

In a heartfelt tribute that left audiences in tears, Derek Hough paid homage to the late Len Goodman—beloved Dancing with the Stars head judge—with a poignant waltz performed during his nationwide stage tour, Derek Hough: Symphony of Dance.

The moving piece, set to an instrumental version of “Moon River” (Len’s favorite song), featured an all-star ensemble of current and former DWTS professionals, creating a timeless moment that honored the man who helped shape ballroom dance for generations.

“The First Piece I Created Was for Len”

On Instagram, Derek revealed the tribute was the very first routine he crafted for his tour.

“Since I started the creation process for my tour, I knew I wanted to take a moment to honor Len,” Derek wrote. “It began with finding the right song. I remember Len telling me how much he loved ‘Moon River.’”

Choosing an instrumental version, Derek explained, gave space for dancers—and the audience—to fill in their own memories. The result? A clean, classic waltz. Simple. Elegant. Exactly what Len would have loved.

A Ballroom Family Reunited

Derek collaborated with longtime friends and fellow pros Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson to bring the vision to life. The tribute featured an unprecedented reunion of DWTS royalty, including:

Hayley Erbert Hough
Julianne Hough
Mark Ballas
Karina Smirnoff
Maks Chmerkovskiy
Tony Dovolani
Kym Herjavec
Edyta Śliwińska
Louis Van Amstel
Anna Trebunskaya
Plus members of the current cast of pros

Together, they embodied the legacy Len left behind—not just in movement, but in mentorship, integrity, and love for the art.

“Getting to honor Len together through Jenna and Val’s thoughtful, careful, and elegant choreography elevated this moment,” Derek shared. “Dancing with past pros brought such nostalgia. We’ve all felt Len’s impact—deeply and personally.”

“Our Love Letter to Len”

In their own post, Jenna and Val called the tribute “our love letter to Len Goodman.” They thanked Derek for bringing the idea to life and praised his selection of music that “was so thoughtfully perfect for this moment.”

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the beautiful messages we’ve received,” they wrote. “We know how personal this was to you, Derek. It was an honor.”

A Connection That Spanned Decades

For Derek and sister Julianne Hough, Len’s influence began when they were just kids. Studying ballroom in the UK under Shirley Ballas, the siblings met Len when he judged them in early competitions.

“I was only 12 years old,” Derek recalled. “He saw something in me before I ever saw it in myself.”

A Farewell Etched in Dance

This tribute wasn’t just a routine—it was a celebration of everything Len Goodman stood for: grace, tradition, and joy in the dance.

“I love this show,” Derek wrote. “I love these people. And we will always love you, Len.”

Watch the full performance below and experience the tribute that has touched the hearts of fans around the world.