'American Idol': Is Ryan Seacrest's secret 'Dancing With the Stars' date -- Julianne Hough?

Could "American Idol's" Ryan Seacrest -- one of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors actually (finally) be off the market?

The Dish Rag uncovered another clue to the Seacrest dating puzzle Wednesday (April 14) thanks to an "accidental" slip of the tongue from Simon Cowell post-"American Idol" elimination show.

Cowell's ex Terri Seymour interviewed all the judges for Los Angeles FOX 11 affiliate, KTTV, and questioned Cowell about a date Seacrest had Monday night. "Um, yeah, the girl from 'Dancing With the Stars," shrugged Cowell, adding a coy, "Whoops," as he looked to camera.

Cut to Seymour side-by-side with her fellow FOX 11 reporter, who presses her for the name of the mystery woman. Seymour says she "will be in so much trouble," but then goes on to give us the hint that it's "a certain young lady" from "DWTS" -- who's not on this season.  Ah ha! Another clue.

So let the speculation begin!

Our best guess would be cute-as-a-button blonde Julianne Hough, who is in fact not on "DWTS" this season. We know that Seacrest frequently talks about her on his KIIS-FM radio show (and his sidekick Ellen K enjoys teasing him about his crush).

Also, Seacrest's E! co-host Giuliana Rancic dropped a hint to HollywoodLife during an interview in March that we might soon see Ryan "on the red carpet with a famous girl ... maybe a famous blond!"

Seacrest interviewed Hough last November at the "New Moon" premiere for his radio show (video below), and persistently pushed her to clear up any doubts that she and former boyfriend Chuck Wicks were still an item. Lucky for Seacrest, she confirmed things were over between the two of them.

Although one can only guess when these two would actually have the time to see each other (that is, IF our guess is correct). Seacrest has his 27+ jobs he somehow juggles, and Hough will be touring throughout the summer and opening for Sugarland in addition to starting production on "Footloose." (No word yet on who will be her co-star, since Chace Crawford just bailed due to "Gossip Girl" production overlap.)

Hough also just wrapped production on "Burlesque," co-starring Christina Aguilera, Cher, Kristen Bell and "Twilight's" Cam Gigandet.

So The Dish Rag is going with Hough as Ryan's mystery girl....

Do you agree? If not, who do you think it might be?

Check out Seacrest's KIIS-FM interview with Hough last Novemeber and Cowell's slip of the tongue (btw what's with that bizarre banana comment?):





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Photo credits: Getty Images