AMERICAN Idol host Ryan Seacrest addressed the suggestion of “awkwardness” with ex Julianne Hough as the dancer starred on his radio show.
The television favorite, 47, was forced to confront the fact the pair had previously dated for three years, before their split in 2013.
Julianne, 33, appeared on his radio show On-Air With Ryan Seacrest, alongside her dancer brother Derek.
Ryan addressed the elephant in the room from the off, as he said: “Jules, just to start, [my cohosts] Sisanie and Tanya have been asking me if this is awkward for me.
“And I said, ‘Not at all because we’re friends’.”
As if to emphasize the point, he added: “There is nothing uncomfortable about it, because we’ve remained friends.”
Actress, singer and Dancing With The Stars pro Julianne saw the funny side as she giggled and admitted the pair still talked.
She added that they shared “respect and love and all those things.”
Joking about the public nature of their former relationship and split, she quipped: “I have a new publicist now, so it’s like, ‘It’s fine!
“They can talk!'”
At the time, insiders cited their busy work schedules as a reason for their split.
Previously addressing a split in 2013 on her Instagram Stories, the star hinted she felt she did not “deserve” the luxuries of her previous high-profile relationship.
Julianne, who was raised Mormon, said: “I was on private planes and yachts and living in a very, very well-off house — pretty different from where I grew up.
“I had just got out of that relationship because I wanted to create that for myself. I kind of felt like I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t earn that.
“So now I need to go create that for myself.”
OFF SCREEN
Ryan’s career is in the public eye and so is his personal love life.
From 2003 to 2005, the television host was in a relationship with Shana Wall.
Seacrest and actress Teri Hatcher had a short-lived romance in 2006.
From 2010 through 2013, the American Idol host dated Julianne Hough of Dancing with the Stars.
Seacrest started dating chef and influencer Shayna Taylor in 2013.
The pair were on and off until they called it quits in June of 2020.
Upon hitting splitsville, a LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan spokesperson said: “They remain good friends, each other’s biggest supporters and will always cherish their time together as a couple,”
While Seacrest and Shayna were off, reports surfaced of his alleged romances with model Renee Hall and Miss Teen USA’s Hilary Cruz.
In 2021, the media personality and Audrey Paige entered a relationship.
Meanwhile, the media host has touched on the ideas of fatherhood a number of times.
The famed mogul told WSJ Magazine: “I do want to have kids.”
Seacrest continued: “But I haven‘t even gone down that path, which is nuts at my age.”
He added: “I think in the last year, it’s become clear to me that yes, I do want to do that.… I want to be available and present.”
