Julianne Hough, widely recognized for her dazzling performances on Dancing with the Stars, stepped into a new chapter of her life when she began dating Ryan Seacrest in 2010. Known for her vibrant energy and captivating dance routines that charmed audiences on Dancing with the Stars, Julianne found herself immersed in a world of luxury and celebrity status alongside Seacrest.
Reflecting on this period during a recent August 2024 episode of Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, the Dancing with the Stars alum described a whirlwind experience. “The rug was swept up from underneath me and I was just flying,” Julianne recounted. She was exposed to extravagant experiences, previously unimaginable, such as lavish vacations and courtside seats at Lakers games.
However, this glamorous lifestyle came with unexpected personal challenges for the celebrated dancer from Dancing with the Stars. Julianne confessed to developing insecurities, driven by a fear of being perceived as being in the relationship for the perks. “I don’t ever want anybody to think that I’m with him for this reason. So I then started playing smaller,” she explained, revealing a significant shift in her behavior.
This shift led Julianne to adapt herself to fit the perceived needs of her partner, a pattern she recognized in retrospect. “I, again, overcompensated, was malleable to fit into exactly what somebody needed me to be for them to be happy,” Julianne elaborated. She came to a profound realization about her understanding of love, questioning whether she had truly been in love or simply enamored with the feeling of being loved. “What I’ve realized over the years is I don’t know if I’ve ever truly been in love with someone, but I have loved the feeling of being loved.”
The relationship between Julianne, the Dancing with the Stars icon, and Ryan Seacrest concluded in 2013. This decision, however, was met with surprise and skepticism from certain circles. Julianne recalled reactions from “Brentwood moms and producers” who questioned her choice, pointing out the apparent security of her established life. “They’re like, ‘Your life is completely set up,'” she remembered.
Despite external pressures, Julianne stood firm in her decision, driven by a deep desire for self-reliance and personal achievement, values perhaps honed during her demanding Dancing with the Stars journey. “And I was like, ‘But I didn’t build it.’ And of course I was like, ‘I need to create this,’ competitively, like, ‘it’s not mine, and I wanna feel the pride of doing it,’” Julianne asserted, highlighting her commitment to forging her own path after her high-profile relationship.
