When news broke that Seacrest and Hough were taking a break, theories about the reason ranged from that they both had busy work schedules, to them disagreeing about the timing of a permanent commitment (via Today).

"Dude works all the time," a source told Us Weekly at the time. "He never sleeps." The source added about Hough's reaction to her man always working, "It's a lifestyle she couldn't handle anymore. Work always, always came first [for Ryan]. She wants a more low-key life."

Meanwhile, another source claimed the issue of marriage was the deal breaker. Hough told E! News in 2012 her family was starting to wonder when she planned on getting engaged. "It's good that they're asking. It means that they like him, right?" the actress said.

Hough also opened up to Redbook, providing the best explanation for the split. "Every relationship, there was nothing wrong or bad, but there was nothing right. I had one foot out because I didn't want to get hurt. And I didn't say what was on my mind because I didn't want to ruffle any feathers. I needed to be perfect," she said. As for what she learned from her time with the host, Hough added, "But now I'm not holding anything back, because I'd rather get my heart broken than never know what it is to be completely, madly in love. If I had been this open in my last relationship, who knows?"