Slow down? Ryan Seacrest says he’s busier than ever
NEW YORK— Most folks have slowed down in the past nine months, but Ryan Seacrest says he’s been juggling more than usual during the pandemic.
His regular TV and radio gigs as a co-hoston “Live With Kelly and Ryan” and his syndicated “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” radio show continue, despite lockdown. Onweekends therewere tapings for what he calls “the singing show” (otherwise known as ABC’ s “American Idol. ”)
“Therewere also a lot of requests to do extra specials and things for our partners (such as hosting the successful “Disney Family Sing Along” programs) because everyone was going through a tough time. We leaned into doing as much aswe could,” said Seacrest, 46, in an interview from the radio studio he built in the basement of the “Live” set.
His commute from the morning talk showto radio gig is oneminute, but Seacrest is still largely bicoastal and splits his time between New York and Los Angeles.
Thisweek hewill return to New York’s Times Square to once again front “Dick Clark New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.” Seacrest will count downto 2021 with the help of actors Lucy Hale and Billy Porter. Ciara will cohost from Los Angeles. Jennifer Lopez is also scheduled to perform from New York. The broadcast is closed to the public due to the pandemic.
“Itmay feel a little different on the ground, but I think on the air it’s still going to have that celebratory component to it,” said Seacrest. “Most of us can’t go anywhere, so we’re going to really try to put on a good show.”
He’s so comfortable with hosting that Seacrest gets a thrill out of the curveballs that can pop up. He and Ripa purposely walk onto the “Live” set seconds before showtime because, he says, “there’s something fun about that.”
He also admits he’s hoped for badweather during past New Year’s Eve broadcasts because itwould pose a challenge and “gives you something to talk about.”
Seacrest doesn’t get nervous before going on air or when he’s about to speak to the masses, but says big Zoom meetings leave him tongue-tied.
“It’s all of the Zooms that I have to do with 50 people. I can see them all looking and I feel pressured to say something magical and I don’t deliver. I clear my throat. I look at my notes, I get so anxious.”
Of all his work, Seacrest says the most important is his nonprofit Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which is run by his parents and sister. They’ve opened 11 broadcast studios and counting, named Seacrest Studios, in children’s hospitals throughout the country to give the kids a positive distraction. The studios give young patients a taste of producing a radio or television show, with the occasional celebrity guest.
“I’ve heard from parents that have seen their children in ahospital bed without motivation to get up. Theywere sad and didn’t want to go do anything. And then, you know, when we could bring Selena Gomez through a studio, that patient all of a sudden wants to get up and go downstairs and spend time with Selena Gomez and forget about maybe the pain they’re mentally feeling and physically feeling.”
If you followhis social media, it’s apparent that Seacrest loves food.
“My favorite celebrities are chefs. Anytime I meet a great chef, I usually ask them for a signed menu. I have them framed in my house in Los Angeles.”