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Bad news, Dancing with the Stars, fans: One of the show's most popular professionals, Derek Hough, is saying goodbye to the ballroom for a bit.
"I'm taking season 12 off," the three-time DWTS champ told People.com, as he prepares to film the new dance movie Cobu 3D.
Hough will be playing the lead role in the new movie, which is set to film in New York and Toronto this spring. Hough will play a New Orleans street dancer who moves to New York and falls for an Asian drummer.
The love story will include "some incredible dance numbers," says Hough. "People will see a much edgier side of me and these other styles of dance I'm capable of doing."
DWTS execs, though sad for their loss we're sure, are in full support of Hough's exciting new film role.
"We wish Derek the best as he takes time off from Dancing with the Stars to pursue his film career and look forward to having him return to the show in the fall," said the show's executive producer, Conrad Green.
And Hough promises, upon his return, he'll be a better dancer than ever before.
"I will be making it back to Dancing with the Stars in the fall. I'm just taking a little break and taking this chance to grow and expand a little bit as an artist," Hough says. "It's like I told one of the producers on the show -- I'll come back with a whole new set of skills."
Will you miss Derek Hough on the new of Dancing with the Stars? Chime in below?
