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Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough once shared a high-profile Hollywood romance from 2010 to 2013, a time when Seacrest was at the peak of his American Idol fame, and Hough was making waves as a Dancing with the Stars champion and actress. Though the romance didn’t last, Seacrest and Hough have reportedly maintained a respectful relationship. Fans revisit their past as the stars occasionally cross paths at major events. Now, Seacrest and Hough are joining forces once more — this time, it’s for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026.” Here’s what to know.

Ryan Seacrest and Julianna Hough are joining forces for ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026′

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Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough are surprisingly reuniting on screen. She’s joining him as a co‑host for “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026.” According to People, Seacrest will return to his traditional hosting duties in Times Square. Meanwhile, Hough, making her NYE show debut, will broadcast live from Las Vegas alongside former NFL star Rob Gronkowski. Rita Ora will join Seacrest as a co-host.

Fans are anxious to see who will perform during Dick Clark’s iconic event. According to the press release, the night will feature a “major performer lineup” sure to excite viewers. Sabrina Carpenter, Lenny Kravitz, and Carrie Underwood performed over the past few years.

The 2026 edition will be a multi‑city broadcast, kicking off from New York, Vegas, and Chicago, with Chance the Rapper hosting in the Midwest. The show airs live on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. EST and will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.

The announcement is especially notable given Seacrest and Hough’s shared history. The two dated from 2010 to 2013. Though their relationship ended, reports suggest they’ve remained on good terms. In fact, Hough has spoken candidly in recent interviews about her past insecurities and her desire to define her own path separate from the shadow of Seacrest’s fame.

Why did Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough break up?

Ryan Seacrest and Julianna Hough seemed like the perfect match in 2010. However, after three years of dating, the couple went their separate ways.

Hough has said that one of the key reasons she ended her three‑year relationship with Seacrest was a deep-seated insecurity about being perceived as using him to advance her career. She admitted on Armchair Expert that she molded herself into what she thought Seacrest or others needed her to be, rather than being herself.

“The rug was swept up from underneath me, and I was just flying, experiencing things that I didn’t even know existed,” Hough said, according to Hollywood Life. “But I had this insecurity. I didn’t want anyone to think I was with him for the wrong reasons.”

“And 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,” she continued. “So, I would become whatever I needed to be in order to be loved.”

Who are the exes dating or married to now?

Over a decade after their breakup, Ryan Seacrest and Julianna Hough have fully moved on. While they’ve both sustained relationships since they were together, they appear to both be single in 2025.

According to The U.S. Sun in June 2025, Seacrest was dating Australian celebrity real estate agent Camille Orders. The two were spotted around Rome. However, other reports suggest they are just close friends. Before Seacrest and Orders were linked, he reportedly dated model Aubrey Paige for three years.

As for Hough, she’s reportedly single following her divorce from Brooks Laich. Hough and Laich tied the knot in 2017 and split three years later in 2020 before finalizing their divorce in 2022. The exes are on good terms and still spend time together.

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