‘American Idol’: Brooks Reveals How Romance With ‘Girlfriend’ Rae Began
What To Know
- Brooks Rosser and Rae confirmed they are dating on American Idol‘s Disney Night.
- After the show, Brooks spoke to Swooon and other outlets about the relationship and hinted at when it began.
- He also dished on their recent date nights and more.
American Idol Season 24 Top 7 contender Brooks Rosser and ejected contestant Rae have more in common than just going by their first names, professionally. After it was hinted on social media that the two were dating, the couple’s romantic relationship was confirmed on April 20 when host Ryan Seacrest brought Rae out on stage after Brooks performed on Disney Night.
Swooon and a small group of reporters caught up with Brooks on the show’s post-show press line to get the scoop on his romance with Rae.
When asked what’s new, Brooks replied with a smile, “What’s new? Top 7!” Anything else? “I have a girlfriend,” he confirmed.
The relationship between Brooks and Rae began to develop before she was eliminated from the competition. “We’re both from Baltimore,” Brooks said. “So, in between rounds, we kind of hung out and we clicked.” The American Idol Live Shows began at the end of March, but Brooks and Rae had already started hanging out after meeting during the pre-taped portion of the show last fall.
Disney/Eric McCandless
Despite Rae’s elimination, she and Brooks have been able to go on some outings. “We’ve been able to see each other,” he revealed. “We went out on a couple of dates.”
Have the two hit any Los Angeles area hot spots or tourist attractions, like The Beverly Hills Polo Lounge? “I don’t have that kind of money,” Brooks deadpanned.
Seacrest wasn’t joking when he said that bringing Rae out on stage when he was interviewing Brooks was a secret. “I was surprised,” Brooks admitted. “I didn’t know that was going to happen.”
That said, the Top 7 finalist confirmed that Rae’s appearance was a pleasant surprise. “It was good,” he shared. “It was great. I was happy to see her.”
The singer’s getting used to being in the spotlight and said that he’s prepared to let things unfold as they’re meant to with the competition. “I’m just grateful to be here,” he told us. “I already feel like I’ve made it. I’m just having fun and whatever happens, happens.”
Brooks and Rae aren’t the first couple to have met while competing on American Idol. Season 16 competitors Gabby Barrett and Cade Foehner met on the show and fell in love in 2018. They have since gotten married and welcomed three children.
Other romantic duos who met on American Idol (but didn’t go the distance) include Maddie Poppe and Caleb Lee Hutchinson (who also competed in Season 16). Way back in Season 1, runner-up Justin Guarini and champion Kelly Clarkson briefly dated, too.
“It was a big surprise to us [about Brooks and Rae],” Luke Bryan admitted. “This is not the first time we’ve had kids fall in love. Gabby and Cade went on to get married and have a family. You never know when you’re going to potentially find the love of your life. It was really a cute moment on the show [after Rae came out on stage].”
Just as no one can know who’ll emerge as the winner of Season 24 of American Idol, Bryan suggested that there was no predicting which singers might pair up romantically. Then, he added, “You realize, ‘Oh, Brooks might be out little group Casanova!’”
American Idol, Mondays, 8/7, ABC
