What is Ryan Seacrest going to do with that free time when he loses a job next year? American Idol will go off the air in 2016, at the conclusion of the iconic show’s 16th season, and that will be one less job for the ubiquitous host.
Between all of his radio and production duties, Ryan will no doubt stay busy. He just signed a new three year deal with iHeart radio, that will keep him as a top personality across their platforms. He’ll continue hosting and producing L.A.’s top-morning drive-time show for iHeart’s 102.7 KISS-FM as well as the nationally-syndicated On Air with Ryan Seacrest and American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest. In addition, he’ll provide input into all the company’s major events and will continue to host big events such as the iHeartRadio Music Festival and iHeartRadio Music Awards.
His last deal with iHeart was said to pay him $25 million. A new expanded deal likely pays him more.
No time for tears! Nevertheless, Ryan admitted in an interview on the Today show, Monday morning, that he’s going to miss hosting the iconic singing show. “When I saw all the moments, I got a little emotional. I’m going to miss it,” he said.
As judges and contestants came and went over the years, Ryan remained the one constant–the only original cast member still involved with the show.
He tells Today that he wasn’t always the super-confident host he is these days. In the summer of 2002, when the show premiered, Ryan was pretty nervous. Before American Idol, he’d never done live television before.
“I was scared to death when I first started that show … I was really nervous the first couple of seasons. Fortunately, I got a little more comfortable with it, but I also look back and think to myself, what was I doing with my hair and my wardrobe?”
GOTTA love those Seacrest frosted tips!
Related: Kellie Pickler to Co-Host Simon Fuller’s Knock Knock Live
Currently, Ryan is gearing up to host the new Simon Fuller FOX show, Knock Knock Live, with Kellie Pickler serving as one of the guest hosts. Ryan is also producing a reality show with the singer for CMT, I Love Kellie Pickler.
Related: Kellie Pickler to Star in Ryan Seacrest-Produced Reality Series for CMT
Within a few months, he’ll no doubt be heading out on his very last tour of judges round auditions. Talk about emotional…
Watch Ryan talk about American Idol and more on the Today Show.
