'DWTS' Derek Hough Bullied, Had Gun To His Head: We Have Details On The ABC Star's Dark Past

ABC's Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Derek Hough may have a great life now, but he went through a brutal childhood where he was bullied relentlessly. "On one occasion, they would tie my ankles up with a very rough rope, hang me from a tree upside down and spit on me and call me names and even held a gun to my head," he told E! News at GLSEN's Respect Awards. "I didn't tell anybody — my parents, teachers, my friends, my sisters. I kept it to myself."

The DWTS pro was honored at the event with the Inspiration Award from the LGBT organization.

Derek, who grew up in Utah, didn't know why he was the one who was targeted by classmates, but now may have an answer.

"That's the question: Why me? Why is this happening to me? What have I done?" he told People. "It's not because [of] anything other than the people doing it aren't happy with themselves. They don't love who they are. They don't know who they are."

Looking back, the Emmy winner regrets not speaking up against the bullies and taking a stand.

"I know now the worst thing you can do is suffer in silence. Oftentimes we allow ourselves to suffer a lot more than we need to by keeping it to ourselves and carrying the burden alone," he told E!. "Let me tell you right now, you are not alone. Seeking help requires incredible strength and incredible courage. The most powerful weapon you have against bullying is your voice."

As for his personal life, Derek told People he's "pretty eligible" but too busy to date. But he knows he has to start soon if he's going to be father someday.

"We'll start with a woman first — a wife!" he joked. "I want kids. I'm turning 30 next year, I got to get on this! I want babies."