EXCLUSIVE: 'Dancing With the Stars' Partners Derek Hough and Marilu Henner Look Like Early Favorites

EXCLUSIVE: Why Derek Hough and Marilu Henner Could Be Early Fave…

Ariana Madix Gives Nod to Revenge Dress in Her 'Dancing With the…

Derek Hough Shares Update on Newlywed Life With Hayley Erbert (E…

‘DWTS’ Under Fire and ‘Experiencing Unique Time’ as Show Continu…

Hollywood Strike Update: Resolve May Come Soon After Days of Mee…

'The D'Amelio Show': Charli Opens Up About How Dixie Helped Set …

'DWTS': How Kaitlyn Bristowe Prepped Fellow 'Bachelorette' Chari…

Mauricio Umansky Shares Kyle Richards Marriage Update Amid Split…

Jamie Lynn Spears on Receiving Support From Family During 'DWTS'…

WGA Has Tentative Deal in Place to End Strike: What's Next?

Jamie Lynn Spears Donating Her ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Paycheck…

‘DWTS’ Season 32 Cast Revealed! Relationship Updates and What to…

Mauricio Umansky Says 'RHOBH' Will Show 'Difficult Parts' of Kyl…

Tom Sandoval on How 'VPR' Filming Went Post-Scandoval and Why He…

Lindsay Arnold's Sister Rylee on Joining 'DWTS' as a Pro (Exclus…

Why 'SNL' Could Come Back to TV Before SAG Strike Ends

Kathy Hilton Wants to Play Golf With Nicki Minaj (Exclusive)

‘Special Forces’ Season 2: Savannah Chrisley Reacts to Tom Sando…

‘Special Forces’: Savannah Chrisley on Butting Heads With Tom Sa…
Dancing With the Stars pro dancer Derek Hough is a six-time mirror ball trophy winner while his season 23 partner Marilu Henner is a five-time Emmy nominee, and together they are the ones to beat.
"I'm, like, a rabid fan," Henner tells ET of the ABC dance competition show. "I've been following everybody on Dancing With the Stars for years. I know everybody, and I tweet about them."
WATCH: See the 'Dancing With the Stars' Pros' Audition Tapes
Despite all her studying of the show, the 64-year-old Taxi star was still surprised to learn who her partner would be.
"I had an out-of-body experience, because he wasn't even on my radar," Henner explains. "He was gone doing Singin' in the Rain and Hairspray, so I didn't even think about Derek. And then the door opens and I scream and I cry and then there's that second of, 'Oh my God! Did I superimpose Derek Hough's face on somebody else who's really standing there?' -- an apparition?!"
While the pairing is a dream come true for Henner, it's still a lot of work. The dancing partners rehearse four hours a day and then Henner goes home and practices for an additional two more hours by herself. When you combine their work ethic to Henner's dancing background, it's hard to imagine anyone getting the best of this ballroom duo.
WATCH: Derek Hough Confirms 'Dancing With the Stars' Return, Cheryl Burke Also Set for Season 23
"I took dancing as a child," Henner says. "This is a completely different ballgame."
One thing that could slow them down is a back injury that recently struck Hough.
"I was lifting tires, doing CrossFit stuff in a competitive race with my brother-in-law-to-be [Brooks Laich], and he's an NHL hockey player," Hough explains. "I'm like, 'Let's go, man! And then that night I was like, 'I can't walk.'"
RELATED: Cheryl Burke Drops 'DWTS' Bombshells, Says Maksim Chmerkovskiy Is a 'Good Kisser'
Despite the pain, Hough appears to be moving well and he's keeping his spirits high for Team Henergy -- a play on Henner's name.
"Our team is Team Henergy, which I like because nobody has as much energy as this woman right here!" Hough says.
Dancing With the Stars returns Monday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.