Ryan Seacrest is never one to shy away from a personal conversation, and recently, he took his openness to a whole new level on an episode of Wheel of Fortune. During a Tuesday, March 11, episode, the 50-year-old TV personality made a surprising admission about his love life that left both contestants and viewers alike talking.
From Dinner Discussions to On-Air Confessions
It all started when contestant Jill McDaniel revealed her unique tradition of "discussion dinners" with friends. These gatherings are all about asking thought-provoking questions to spark meaningful conversations. Curious, Ryan inquired about the types of questions Jill typically asks during these dinners. "What is your biggest fear?" Jill replied, setting the stage for an unexpected moment of vulnerability.
Ryan Turns the Question Around
Intrigued by Jill's question, Ryan decided to pose it to his longtime co-host, Vanna White. "Oh, my biggest fear? Erm…spiders," Vanna confessed with a laugh. "Spiders are definitely a big one for me. How about you, Ryan?"
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What followed was a candid and somewhat surprising response from Ryan. "Relationships," he admitted without hesitation. The honesty in his answer resonated with Jill, who gave him a fist bump in appreciation. Not one to pass up a chance for some good-natured humor, Ryan quipped, "We are each other's people." Clearly, the host knows how to keep things light while still being real.
A Year of Reflection
It’s been nearly a year since Ryan's split with his girlfriend, Aubrey Paige Petcosky, and it seems like the breakup has left a lasting impression. A source close to the couple shared with People in April 2024 that their decision to part ways was mutual. "After three beautiful years together, Ryan and Aubrey have mutually decided to go their separate ways," the source revealed. "They plan to stay in each other's lives as good friends and continue supporting each other's endeavors." It's clear that Ryan values meaningful connections, even if romantic relationships remain a source of anxiety for him.
Marriage on the Horizon?
Despite his admitted fear of relationships, Ryan has expressed interest in marriage in the past. During a 2017 appearance on Live With Kelly and Ryan, he opened up about the idea of tying the knot. "I love the idea [of getting married]," he confessed. "My parents have been married for 47 years, and so I have this thing where I figure the longer I wait, the older I’ll be, the closer to death I am, so I can get it in and not screw it up." Clearly, Ryan has given the concept of marriage some serious thought.
Close Calls and Lessons Learned
In the same year, Ryan revealed that he had come close to proposing to a past partner but ultimately decided against it. While he didn’t disclose the identity of the person, he shared that it was the right decision. "I did get close and I didn’t do it, and it was the right move," he explained. "But I love the idea — and I know you’re going to ask me — of marriage because my parents have been married for 47 years, and so I have this thing…"
Relationships Past and Present
Before dating model Aubrey Paige, Ryan was involved in an on-and-off relationship with Shayna Taylor from 2013 to 2020. After their third and final breakup, a representative for the couple confirmed that their split was amicable. "Ryan and Shayna decided to end their romantic relationship amicably some time ago," the rep stated. "They remain good friends, each other’s biggest supporters, and will always cherish their time together as a couple." Even after their breakup, Ryan took the opportunity to celebrate their relationship during an appearance on Live With Kelly and Ryan. "I just want to say, happy third anniversary to Shayna," he said on the show. "It is our third time together. So we’ve gotten together, broken up, gotten together, broken up. This is number three of being together. So we’re celebrating as well." Clearly, Ryan values the connections he makes, even if they don't always lead to long-term commitments.
