Twelve years after concluding their three-year romance, Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest are set to demonstrate that former flames can indeed maintain professional relationships without animosity. The pair will both participate in this year's Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest broadcast, though they'll be stationed in different cities for the occasion.
Professional Reunion After Personal History
While many would consider working alongside an ex-partner during the holidays a potential nightmare scenario, the 37-year-old Dancing With The Stars host and the 50-year-old entertainment mogul are approaching their professional crossover with maturity and professionalism. Hough will make her debut as co-host of the iconic countdown special from Las Vegas, where she'll be joined by former NFL star Rob Gronkowski. Meanwhile, Seacrest will maintain his traditional role anchoring the festivities from New York City alongside singer Rita Ora.
The couple's romantic history spans from 2010 to 2013, making this their first professional collaboration since ending their relationship. Their ability to work on the same broadcast, albeit from different locations, signals a significant evolution in their post-relationship dynamic.
Reflections on a Whirlwind Romance
Last year, Hough offered candid insights about their relationship during an appearance on the Armchair Expert podcast, describing it as a whirlwind experience that ultimately left her feeling disconnected from herself. "That was exactly the dynamic. The rug was swept up from underneath me, and I was just flying and I was experiencing things that I didn't even know existed," she revealed.
The Utah-raised actress and dancer expressed concerns during their relationship about public perception, particularly that people might assume she was with Seacrest for his lavish lifestyle rather than genuine affection. "I didn't ever want anybody to think that I'm with him for this reason," she confessed. "And so I then started playing smaller… I overcompensated, [I] was malleable to fit into exactly what somebody needed me to be for them to be happy."
Rediscovering Identity After High-Profile Split
In a 2020 Instagram Live session with influencer Valeria Lipovetsky, Hough elaborated on her feelings of inadequacy during the relationship, noting the stark contrast between Seacrest's privileged world and her own upbringing. "I was on private planes and yachts and living in a very, very well-off house and my life was pretty different from where I grew up," said the performer, who was raised alongside her brother Derek Hough.
She explained that leaving the relationship became necessary for her personal growth, stating: "I wanted to create that for myself because I kind of felt like I didn't deserve it. Like, I didn't earn that." Following the split, Hough experienced a period of identity confusion, recalling: "I was like, 'I'm 24 and I don't really know who Julianne is.'"
The actress later married former NHL player Brooks Laich in 2017, though the couple announced their separation in May 2020 and finalised their divorce in 2022. Throughout her public reflections, Hough has consistently emphasised the importance of maintaining one's identity within relationships and the value of building one's own success rather than inheriting it through partnership.
Their upcoming New Year's Eve professional reunion serves as a testament to their ability to navigate complex personal history while maintaining mutual respect in their professional lives.
