Simon Cowell Says He ‘Rarely’ Talks to Ryan Seacrest 15 Years After “American Idol” Departure
- - Simon Cowell Says He ‘Rarely’ Talks to Ryan Seacrest 15 Years After “American Idol” Departure
Jack IrvinDecember 4, 2025 at 12:11 AM
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Ryan Seacrest in December 2024; Simon Cowell -
Simon Cowell spoke to The New York Times for a new interview
He opened up about his relationship with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest
Cowell was a judge on the hit singing competition series before making his exit in 2010
Where do Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest stand today?
The music mogul opened up about his relationship with Seacrest — longtime host of American Idol, where Cowell served as a judge for nine seasons — in a new interview with The New York Times, explaining that they "rarely talk now."
Seacrest's name came up as Cowell, 66, discussed his time as a judge on Idol from its 2002 premiere through his exit after season 9 in 2010. The father of two claimed he "can't answer" why the Wheel of Fortune host, 50, remains popular in culture but noted, "He does work hard."
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Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest in April 2016
"He was very, very ambitious," explained Cowell of Seacrest. "I didn’t follow his career, so I don’t know what he’s done. We rarely talk now."
Cowell then reflected on Seacrest's ambition during their time on American Idol. "He was very steely about his career — wanting to be famous," said the X Factor creator. "This massive, massive desire about being, you know, very famous."
To this day, Seacrest remains the host of Idol — which wrapped its 23rd season earlier this year. He also hosts Wheel of Fortune and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune as well as his long-running radio show, On Air with Ryan Seacrest and the annual Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast.
In a 2017 interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Seacrest described working with Cowell as "always entertaining" amid rumors he'd take over for Nick Cannon as the host of America's Got Talent.
"I miss Simon," said Seacrest at the time. "He's a lot of fun to work with."
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Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell in September 2007
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Seacrest opened up to PEOPLE about balancing his busy schedule in September. "I do sleep. Everyone asks me, do I sleep?" he said at the YES Scholars 25th Anniversary Gala in Los Angeles.
"It's like, I go to bed immediately, and I get a good night's sleep," Seacrest continued. "But it's pretty jam-packed in between the sleeps."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
