Exes Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest have managed to stay amicable, but Julianne recently revealed that the intense media scrutiny surrounding their breakup wasn't easy to handle. In a candid conversation on Dax Shepard's “Armchair Expert” podcast, aired on Monday, August 12, the Dancing With the Stars cohost shared the real reasons behind their split and how it impacted her life.
When Sparks Turned to Stardom
Julianne Hough, now 36, and Ryan Seacrest, 49, met years before their romance began during an episode of Ryan's radio show. However, they didn’t start dating until 2010. By that time, Julianne was skyrocketing to fame with her role in Burlesque, followed by roles in Footloose and Rock of Ages. Meanwhile, Ryan was cementing his status as a household name in the entertainment industry. Julianne explained that she never wanted people to think she was with Ryan for his fame, which became a significant concern as her career took off.
Fame and Insecurity: A Double-Edged Sword
“The rug was swept up from underneath me, and I was just flying, experiencing things that I didn’t even know existed,” Julianne recalled. Despite the whirlwind of success, she harbored a deep insecurity. “I didn’t ever want anyone to think that I was with him for this reason,” she admitted. This fear influenced her decisions and actions during their relationship, leading to a dynamic that wasn’t entirely healthy.
Read also:Mina Starsiak Hawk Glows In Cancuacuten A Relaxing Getaway With Husband Steve Hawk
Julianne went on to explain that to this day, she doesn’t want people to think she entered the relationship with ulterior motives. “I overcompensated, was malleable to fit into exactly what somebody needed me to be for them to be happy,” she shared. Over time, she realized something profound: “I don’t know if I’ve ever truly been in love with someone, but I have loved the feeling of being loved. And so let me be what that needs to be so that I can be loved.”
Love and Reflection
Julianne confessed that while she’s been in love with everyone she’s dated, she questions whether those feelings were genuine. “And then because I’m so filled with love from someone, of course I love you. I love everyone. I’ve been in love with everybody I’ve ever dated, but have I? I don’t wanna overanalyze it because every person I’ve also dated has been a very good person,” she added.
The End of an Era
Julianne and Ryan called it quits in 2013, leaving many fans shocked. “I remember when I decided to break things off, I had a lot of these Brentwood moms and producers in that world that were like, ‘What are you doing?’” she remembered. “And I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ They’re like, ‘Your life is completely set up.’ And I was, like, ‘But I didn’t build it.’”
New Beginnings and Regrets
After her split with Ryan, Julianne went on to marry NHL star Brooks Laich in 2017. Unfortunately, their marriage didn’t last, and they divorced in 2022. During the podcast, Julianne opened up about the challenges they faced. “It wasn’t right. That can be a hard thing to fully accept,” she said. “I feel like our relationship and our marriage was exactly right, and the end of it is right, too. We both have regrets that it didn’t work out, because I don’t think we had the maturity to come together. He was contracting while I was expanding. We just couldn’t find each other in that.”
