While accepting an award at the GLSEN Gala in Beverly Hills last Friday, October 17, Derek Hough had revealed his past encounters with bullying. The Dancing With the Stars pro accepted the award for speaking out against bullying. He opened up about his emotional encounter with bullies and recounts the details of what they did to him.
At the star-studded event at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, he revealed, "Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional. Words and threats are just as painful as fists, especially with social media these days. For those of you who don't know, I was actually bullied as a young boy on one occasion."
The 29-year-old dancer also admitted that he had his ankles tied up with a rope, hanged him upside down in a tree, spit on him, called him names and "even hold a gun to my head". He did not say a word about it to anyone - not to his friends, teachers and parents.
Hough had decided to transform his terrible experience into something positive. According to him, dancing became his "safe place, the place where I could grow and flourish and find those answers," He also said that the "worst thing you can do is suffer in silence."
The guest star's heartfelt speech also encouraged people to speak out if they have been bullied. He delivered an important message to victims, saying "you are not alone. Seeking help requires incredible strength and courage. The most powerful weapon you have against bullying is your voice". He learned that through the years because he experienced it first-hand.
He also said that at one point in time, he felt that he also became a bully. He said that, "sometimes the line becomes blurred" and he almost did not recognize himself anymore.
He ended beautifully with his speech, touching the hearts and souls of everyone when he said, "You can work hard, gain friends and be a good person. [You can] be a tall beautiful skyscraper or you can tear down all the buildings around you to make yourself feel big even though you're not. That's what bullies do. I feel very privileged and honored to be here. Let's create. Let's not destroy."
