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Jennifer Lopez attends the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 05, 2022 in Santa Monica, California.© Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez's hair pulled out in uncomfortable dancing accident – here's what happened

The Dancing with the Stars judge had no idea…

Ahad Sanwari
Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
October 24, 2023
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Performers have mishaps, but the kind Jennifer Lopez had was certainly more than a simple "mishap," as it ended up with her being a bit miffed.

In a new episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show, Dancing with the Stars judge Derek Hough, a close friend of JLo's, recalled an incident that took place years ago involving the Hustlers actress.

The 38-year-old pro dancer reminisced with the talk show host about his friendship with Jennifer when she asked him about his penchant for dipping as a dancer.

VIDEO: Derek Hough suffers wardrobe malfunction on DWTS

"One time actually I went salsa dancing with Jennifer Lopez," he recalled. "And we're dancing. We're having a good night, we're sweating, the live band's playing, it's steamy, it's going great, this is several years ago."

It all took a turn for the worse, however, when he decided to dip the now 54-year-old entertainer. "And I dip her…and I step on her hair.

"And I pull her back up…but her hair didn't come back up," he uncomfortably revealed, leaving the audience groaning and the former American Idol contestant delivering a resounding "Ooooooh!"

Derek Hough on His Magical Wedding and Thinking His Friendship with Jennifer Lopez Was Over

But Derek added that JLo, as professional as ever, didn't miss a single beat and continued dancing, which left the host in stitches.

He continued: "I had no idea what happened, and then later in the night, she goes 'Derek, do you know what you did?' I was like 'Show you the time of your life.'

SEE: Inside Jennifer Lopez's majestic Bel Air home she just sold for $34m – stunning photos

"She says 'No, you pulled out my hair.' And she has a big chunk of it, and I go 'I'm so sorry!'" Although it all ended well when she called him the next day and said: "Hey, do you want to do a project with me?" and he joked: "Fantastic, because I thought our friendship was over."

Derek Hough, Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo and Jenna Dewan Tatum attend the photo op for NBC's "World Of Dance" held at NBC Universal Lot on January 25, 2017 in Universal City, California.© Getty Images
Derek and Jennifer have been good friends for years and judged "World of Dance" together (alongside Ne-Yo)

Derek and JLo have been friends for years and most notably were co-judges on the NBC dance competition World of Dance, which ran for four seasons till its 2021 cancellation and Derek's return to DWTS.

MORE: Jennifer Lopez looks incredible in cropped sequin vest and white satin maxi skirt

They have remained close since then, however, with Derek attending her 54th birthday back in July and JLo showing her support for him during his ongoing tours and also his 2021 Las Vegas residency, Derek Hough: No Limit.

WORLD OF DANCE -- Season: 4 -- Ne-Yo, Jennifer Lopez, Derek Hough© Getty Images
Despite the incident, they've remained close over the years and show support for each other's ventures

Back then, he told Entertainment Tonight about the advice the "On The Floor" hitmaker gave him prior to kicking off his stint in Sin City. "She gave me some good advice," he explained. 

READ: Brooke Burke reveals bombshell confession about 'love affair' with former DWTS partner Derek Hough

"Her MO is hustle, right? It's like, 'Make sure you hustle. Make sure you keep people out there seeing the show and you're working.' She's great. She goes hard in her show. She goes hard in everything."

Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert at Jennifer Lopez's 54th birthday party© Instagram
"Her MO is hustle, right? It's like, 'Make sure you hustle. Make sure you keep people out there seeing the show and you're working.'"

Derek also stated that he was open to having her join him on stage at the residency or any of his future shows, saying: "Hearing about the Rat Pack and what they used to do, they'd be like, 'Oh hey, there's our friend, let's have him up and sing.' I like that idea."

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