‘The Hills’ Star Confirms Romance with Country Singer

Audrina Patridge has officially confirmed her romantic involvement with country music artist Michael Ray. The 39-year-old star, known for her role in The Hills, shared the news with her followers on Instagram on Tuesday, July 9, putting an end to months of speculation regarding her relationship status.

Patridge, who gained fame through the popular MTV series, posted an intimate photograph with Ray, aged 36. In the picture, the couple is seen in an embrace, their foreheads touching, and her hand resting on his neck. She captioned the image with lyrics from Ray’s latest single, "Hold": "There’s a lot of things in life worth letting go But the ones that mean the most, you gotta hold." Ray’s response was equally touching, commenting, "Let’s go babe!!! Grateful for you and Kirra," which also acknowledged Patridge’s 8-year-old daughter from her previous marriage.

The Instagram announcement follows months of subtle interactions between the two that sharp-eyed fans had noticed. Their mutual likes and comments on each other’s posts, particularly from Patridge’s photos at the Stagecoach festival in April, had stoked rumors about their relationship. It wasn’t until late June that they provided a clear indication of their romance, with Patridge sharing a Story featuring a passionate kiss between them, according to People.

For Patridge, this new chapter is significant after experiencing a series of high-profile relationships and a difficult divorce. She had previously dated her The Hills co-star Justin "Justin Bobby" Brescia and musician Ryan Cabrera. Her marriage to Corey Bohan, the father of her daughter Kirra, ended in 2018 amid allegations of domestic abuse. Reflecting on her journey in a July 2022 interview with People, Patridge spoke about her quest for self-love and the courage to leave unhealthy relationships.

"Now, it’s like, I love myself enough to walk away," she stated. "You have to love yourself enough to say enough is enough. Or I’m not putting up with this."

Patridge elaborated on her past relationships, adding, "I’ve learned a lot through this. When you’re in a bad relationship, you put up with a lot because you’re trying to force it to work … to make the other person happy. And that’s not good. You have to notice all those signs and stop it before it gets too far."

Michael Ray, born on April 29, 1988, in Eustis, Florida, brings his own background and experiences to this relationship. His musical career started under the guidance of his grandfather, Amos Wilson Roach, who taught him guitar and performance skills. Ray formed a band in southern Florida after high school and independently released his debut album in 2010, subsequently signing with Warner Music Nashville.

Ray, like Patridge, has also faced the challenges of a public divorce. His marriage to fellow country singer Carly Pearce ended in June 2020 after just eight months. Despite this setback, Ray remained optimistic about finding love again. In a June 2023 interview with People, he expressed his belief in the importance of connection and family: "I think maybe down the road, for sure. I believe that that’s what we’re put on this world to do, is to find somebody that you connect with that makes you better and create a family and leave a legacy."

Source: People