Idol Host

Background:

"In Hollywood, it seems that you're considered gay until proven otherwise!" Ryan Seacrest

Radio and television personality Ryan Seacrest is most-popular as the host of the Fox top-rated primetime talent show “American Idol.” He was recently named lead anchor of E! News, as well as executive producer and host of E!'s Live from the Red Carpet. His other hosting credits include "The Billboard Awards," "Radio Music Awards," "EXTRA Weekends," E!'s "Talk Soup," NBC Saturday Night Movie series, "The New Edge" for the Sci-Fi channel, ESPN, and "An Evening at the Academy Awards." He is currently the morning radio personality on the Los Angeles top-rated radio station KIIS FM.

On April 13, 2005, Seacrest received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 5' 7" tall, green-eyed host was one of E! Online’s "20 Young Guns Under 30 Who Hold Hollywood's Future in Their Hands" and People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful” and “Most Eligible Bachelors” (2005).

"Trust me, if I were gay, I'd be getting more action than I'm getting now." Ryan Seacrest

Seacrest, who claims that he is a Metrosexual, has become the subject of gay rumors. But he has hit back at the speculations, saying: "I'm trying to think of the best way to describe the feeling I get when I hear that particular rumor. I am a certain way. I am relatively clean-cut and I do like to shop for clothes. If I had to break it down stereotypically, that would be a gay male habit. Well for me it's not. It's a straight male habit."

Seacrest was romantically linked to Shanna Wall and once rumored to be dating “Desperate Housewives” actress Teri Hatcher.

"I know a lot of gay males who I work with that are fantastic people and I love hanging out with them. But because I hang out and bring gay men into my life, does that mean that I'm gay? I promise you that I very much love women." Ryan Seacrest


Seacrest Out

Childhood and Family:

On December 24, 1974, Ryan John Seacrest was born in Atlanta, Georgia, to parents Gary and Connie Seacrest. He has one younger sister named Meredith. Young Ryan attended Dunwoody High School and then studied Journalism at the University of Georgia. He later left college to pursue a career in radio and television.

Ryan Seacrest currently resides in Los Angeles. He beat out Gwen Stefani for Kevin Costner's former Hollywood Hills home and reportedly paid $11 million for the property. While not busy working, Ryan, a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball team, enjoys working out and cooking.


On Air With Ryan Seacrest

Career:

"When I moved to Hollywood, one of the first people I ever wanted to meet wasn't a movie star. It was a disc jockey. It was Casey Kasem." Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest became interested in broadcasting when he was chosen to recite the Pledge of Allegiance over his high school's PA system. At age 16, Seacrest, who also led the morning announcements at his high school, began his broadcasting career as an evening radio host for one of Atlanta's top radio stations, WSTR/STAR 94, and as an emcee for Green's nightclub on Peachtree Industrial Road in the Atlanta suburb of Chamblee.

While studying at the University of Georgia, the aspiring broadcaster had an internship at a radio station, which later led him to hosting his own local show. At age 19, Seacrest left the university and packed for the west to further his radio and TV career. There, he found a job as an afternoon radio host on the Los Angeles top-rated radio station KYSR/Star 98.7. Seacrest had a successful 6-year stint of hosting and producing the #1 daily afternoon talk show "Ryan Seacrest for The Ride Home.” He also landed a job as a host of a kids’ show, “Click.”

After several minor TV jobs, Seacrest finally nabbed his first influential TV job as the host of “The New Edge,” a weekend morning show created by CNET that showcased new technology. He then co-hosted the syndicated Gladiators 2000, alongside MTV's Maria Sansone and hosted ESPN's Radical Outdoor Challenge program, in which athletes competed against one another for cash prizes. He also hosted the one-hour weekly radio program Live From The Lounge, from 2001 to 2002.

In 2002, Seacrest co-hosted the hit reality TV series “American Idol” with Brian Dunkleman. This led Seacrest to his big break the following year, when he was selected as the sole host of the FOX #1 hit show “American Idol.” The show, which has made him a household name, later earned Seacrest three Emmy nominations, in 2003, 2004 and 2005. During that time, he also hosted the spin-off show “American Juniors.”

While working for “American Idol,” Seacrest launched his own daily entertainment/variety/talk syndicated television program called “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” in January 2004. The show received low ratings and was eventually cancelled after its final episode on September 17, 2004.

In February 2004, Seacrest became the host of the popular Los Angeles Top 40 radio powerhouse, 102.7 KIIS, FM's morning program, replacing long-time host Rick Dees. The show is also called On Air with Ryan Seacrest. Premiering on February 26, 2004, the program netted over 1 million listeners each week and the show has become the #1 most-listened to morning show in Los Angeles. It broadcasts daily from 5:00-10:00 AM.

Meanwhile, Seacrest also took over Casey Kasem's place as host of American Top 40 and began hosting a second version of American Top 40 (Hot AC version) in December 2004. Since Seacrest's debut, the program has more listeners, topping out at a record breaking 3.1 million listeners per show. He also hosted the "Celebration of Freedom" concert in January 2005 in Washington, DC, for President George W. Bush, the Bush family and the United States Military.

At the age of 30, Seacrest received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in late April 2005. In August that same year, is was announced he would become the executive producer and co-host of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and would be the legendary producer-host's eventual successor. Clark was in the process of recovering from a stroke at that time.

Adding to his “American Idol” stint, Seacrest has also worked as a substitute host on the cable television program Larry King Live on several occasions. More recently, in early 2006, Seacrest signed a three-year, $21-millon deal with U.S. cable channel E! to host and produce their various programs, including E! News and its red carpet award show coverage.

In April 2006, Seacrest, whose biggest influences are David Letterman, Merv Griffin and Growing Pains' Mike Seaver, won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special for co-hosting the 2005 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade with Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa.

Adding to his hosting credits, Seacrest is also an astute entrepreneur. He recently signed a deal with Cingular Wireless to brand the world of text messaging. The owner of Ryan Seacrest Productions (RSP) also co-owns many LA and Las Vegas hot spots, including Katana, Sushi Roku and Boa. Additionally, Seacrest has his own range of designer clothes, called the R Line, a clothing venture with JEM sportswear.

“Everyone in showbiz is driven by ego, so how do you go from having loads of fame to working at 7-11? You can't do it!" Ryan Seacrest


Awards:
---