ABC is delighted to announce that longtime American Idol host Ryan Seacrest will be returning to the show for the upcoming third season. Seacrest has been with Idol since the beginning and will be around for at least another year of the singing competition.
Via Variety
What’s happening:
- Emmy Award-winning host and producer Ryan Seacrest will keep tradition alive by returning as host of the iconic music competition series American Idol, a role he’s held since the inception of the franchise in 2002.
- He reunites with previously announced music industry legends and all-star judges:
- Luke Bryan
- Katy Perry
- Lionel Richie
- In-house mentor, Bobby Bones
- Since first stepping onto the Idol stage 17 years ago, Seacrest has become one of the most recognizable fixtures in pop culture and media, also serving as co-host and executive producer on ABC’s Live with Kelly and Ryan, as well as ABC’s annual live show Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
- Seacrest will also continue hosting and executive producing On Air with Ryan Seacrest, his nationally syndicated L.A. morning drive-time radio show, as well as a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show from his iHeart studio at New York’s ABC7, home of Live.
LIONEL RICHIE, KATY PERRY, LIONEL RICHIE, RYAN SEACREST
What they’re saying:
- Ryan Seacrest: “American Idol’ has been my home for 17 seasons and I can’t wait to return to the stage. It’s the greatest gift to be able to play a part in discovering new talent with a franchise that has been such a relevant part of American culture for so many years.”
- Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment: “We are delighted that our entire ‘Idol’ dream team will be reuniting for the upcoming season on ABC. Ryan has been hosting ‘Idol’ since the beginning, and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the show after 17 seasons are remarkable. We can’t wait to see what’s in store as Ryan, our superstar judges and in-house mentor set out on their nationwide search for the next great music sensation.”
- Executive producer and showrunner Trish Kinane: “I’m thrilled that Ryan is returning to American Idol. His passion for the show is evident, and we couldn’t imagine searching for the next generation of superstars without him.”
- Executive producers Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman on behalf of Industrial Media’s 19 Entertainment: “Since the very beginning everyone who has ever stepped onto the American Idol stage has done so with Ryan Seacrest’s support and guidance. We are lucky to call him our partner and proud to call him our friend. We are thrilled that the next American Idol can rely on Ryan guiding them along their way to stardom.”
ICYMI:
- The nationwide American Idol audition tour concludes this weekend with an open call in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday, September 21.
- In addition to auditioning in person, hopefuls can also submit audition videos online or show off their talent via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #TheNextIdol.
- Visit www.americanidol.com/auditions for more details on specific audition locations, full eligibility requirements, submission forms, terms and conditions.