Taking over for Pat Sajak, Ryan Seacrest stepped into the hosting role for Wheel of Fortune after Sajak retired at the end of the 2023-24 season. While Seacrest is stepping in after Sajak's impressive 40-year tenure, he hasn't exactly won over all the fans of this beloved game show right away. Just last Friday, viewers were not happy when they thought Seacrest was laughing at a contestant who couldn't solve a $100,000 puzzle during the March 7 episode.

Ryan Seacrest joins the Wheel of Fortune crew

In late February, The US Sun reported that Wheel of Fortune lost its top spot in audience viewership, thanks to Jeopardy! fan favorite Drew Goins, who helped the show surpass Seacrest’s latest gig in ratings. Nielsen data showed that Wheel of Fortune's ratings fell to 8.1 million viewers, while Jeopardy! climbed to 8.4 million.

Ryan started his new hosting role in September 2024, signing a two-year contract. Even though the longtime American Idol host is juggling his time with the new Wheel of Fortune duties, fans online are speculating that the 50-year-old might eventually step away from the game show.

Is Pat Sajak returning?

This idea got a boost from a RadarOnline report in late December that claimed Pat Sajak “never wanted to leave in the first place, they forced his hand, and now he wants his old job back.”

A source mentioned, “Ryan might have a multiyear contract, but Pat believes Ryan won’t last long-term, and he’s ready to step back in.” It’s still unclear how the behind-the-scenes drama between the game show hosts will play out, but for now, Seacrest is everywhere on TV. Besides hosting Wheel of Fortune, Ryan also made his comeback as the host of American Idol Season 23 on ABC earlier this month.

Is Ryan Seacrest tied the knot?

As the popular media figure keeps climbing the trends, his personal life has caught a lot of attention too.

Parade even dubbed him the “Host With the Most Girlfriends,” but this talented radio star isn’t married yet, despite having expressed his fondness for “the idea of marriage” in the past. With his parents celebrating over 50 years of marriage, Ryan feels the pressure to meet that “high bar.”

Over the years, the TV host has had several high-profile relationships, the latest being with Aubrey Paige, who became an ex after their breakup in April 2024.

Although he’s currently single, Seacrest shared with Kelly Rippa back in 2017 that his parents’ long-lasting marriage has influenced him. He said, “My parents have been married for 47 years, and I have this thing … I really don’t want to mess it up. A lot of times, things go wrong, so I think the longer I wait, the older I’ll be, and I can get it right before it’s too late.”

Even though he’s not tied down, the On Air with Ryan Seacrest host revealed that he once came close to getting engaged. “I didn’t go through with it, and that was the right choice,” he noted.

A look back at Ryan Seacrest's romantic past

Aubrey Paige

Seacrest and his former model girlfriend started dating in 2021. Back then, he shared his feelings about wanting kids during an interview with WSJ Magazine, saying, “I definitely want to have kids. It’s crazy that I haven’t explored that yet, especially at my age. Over the past year, it’s really hit me that I do want to go for it... I want to be there and fully engaged.”

Paige showed up to cheer on her then-boyfriend during his last appearance on LIVE with Kelly & Ryan in April 2023. However, the couple ended their relationship in April 2024. A source shared with PEOPLE, “After three wonderful years together, Ryan and Aubrey have decided to go their separate ways. They intend to remain friends and continue supporting each other’s pursuits.”

Shayna Taylor

Shayna and Ryan first met in 2013 through mutual friends, according to PEOPLE. But by the next year, they had gone their separate ways. Fast forward to 2017, and they decided to give it another shot by moving in together. Unfortunately, they split again in 2019. Shortly after, a source revealed that Taylor was looking for something more serious and was even open to marriage.

Ryan had a different perspective. In the end, they got back together for a third time before deciding to part ways in 2020. Their relationship spanned eight years, with plenty of ups and downs. A spokesperson for the TV host mentioned that they remain good friends and continue to support one another.

Hilary Cruz

Hilary Cruz, who used to be Miss Teen USA, reportedly started dating Ryan Seacrest back in 2015, as per Us Weekly. The two met at Seacrest's 40th birthday bash.

Renee Hall

Ryan and model Renee Hall were spotted hanging out in New York City back in March 2015, as per TMZ. They apparently crossed paths at his 40th birthday bash in Napa.

Julianne Hough

Julianne Hough from Dancing with the Stars and Ryan Seacrest from American Idol were rumored to be an item from 2010 to 2013. She was first engaged to someone else, but after that relationship ended, they split up. In March 2013, news broke that they had gone their separate ways. Julianne mentioned that they still have a lot of "respect and love" for each other. Ryan added that there’s nothing awkward between them since they’ve stayed friends over the years.

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