DANCING WITH THE STARS' Derek Hough Reveals He Was Victim of Brutal Childhood Bullying

At this weekend's 10th Annual GLSEN Respect Awards in Beverly HIlls, CA, DANCING WITH THE STARS pro Derek Hough revealed that he was the victim of brutal childhood bullying.

"Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional," shared Hough as he accepted his award. "Words and threats are just as painful as fists, especially with social media these days," he continued. "For those of you who don't know, I was actually bullied as a young boy."

The 29-year-old went on to reveal unspeakable experiences. "They would tie my ankles up with a very rough rope and hang me in a tree upside down, spit on me and call me names, even hold a gun to my head," he told the audience.

Fortunately for Hough, dancing became his means of escaping the brutality. "It became my safe place, the place where I could grow and flourish and find those answers." He also shared that he has regrets about keeping the bullying acts to himself. "I know now that the worst thing you can do is suffer in silence." He added, "Seeking help requires incredible strength and courage," he said. "The most powerful weapon you have against bullying is your voice."

Said the multi-time winner of the Mirror Ball Trophy, "(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. Let's create. Let's not destroy."

Source: New York Daily News

Photo credit: Adam Taylor/ABC

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