Ryan Seacrest's Latest Diagnosis Derails His Busy Schedule

Ryan Seacrest is one busy man. In addition to hosting "Live with Kelly and Ryan" with Kelly Ripa, he also hosts a radio show and serves as the host of the popular singing competition "American Idol." But, like the rest of us, he's only human at the end of the day, and his fame doesn't stop him from going through the same health issues that we all do.

In a 2021 interview with The Wall Street Journal, the television personality opened up about a health scare that happened the prior year after many people thought he may have suffered a stroke on air. While Seacrest and his reps denied a stroke, he revealed that exhaustion was part of the reason for his on-air scare. "It's personal, but I definitely knew that I needed to slow down," he told the outlet. "I just had burnt myself out. I was absolutely beat and fatigued and just wasn't letting myself accept that. Now I do," he added. The star also revealed that the health scare caused him to say no to things occasionally instead of doing it all. "I think throughout the most intense times in my life, when I made work a priority, I probably didn't sit back, listen and prioritize a relationship as much as I should have," he said of the toll it took on his personal like while stating he still wants to start a family.

Now, the star is missing work after another health diagnosis, and he shared the news on social media.

Ryan Seacrest is not usually one to miss work unless there's a medical condition involved. On October 11, the "Live With Kelly and Ryan" host took to Twitter to share an illness update with fans. "I don't know how I avoided it for so long, but unfortunately I tested positive for COVID-19 a few days ago, and I'm currently in quarantine," he began the update. Seacrest added that he was feeling all the "usual" symptoms and hoped he would make a "quick recovery."

"I'll be in bed watching tv this week, so please let me know if you have any recommendations (especially for any foodie shows!)," he added at the end of the tweet. It did not take long for fans to take notice of the update and many fans sent the star well-wishes in addition to television show suggestions. "Get well soon I had it for 10 days, and with having asthma and chronic bronchitis, covid hit me really hard," one person wrote. "Feel better! You already know about The Bear- and Chef's Table...but haven't heard you say Somebody Feed Phil or Great British Baking Show. I'll also be looking through these comments for foodie recs!" another social media user commented.

Prior to his COVID-19 diagnosis, the talk show host took to Instagram to promote another project that he took part in — the iHeart Radio Music Festival. We're sure that after he quarantines for the necessary period, he will be back at all of his jobs in full force. 

Following his 2020 health scare, Ryan Seacrest told the Wall Street Journal (via ET) that he had been told by a doctor not to take on as many projects. Seacrest expressed how hard he found it to take that advice, though. "To say no to things is difficult. You want to say yes. When I say no to something, I feel guilt in terms of an obligation," he explained at the time (per ET).

He also shared that his not saying no in his career meant that he lost valuable time over the years, with those closest to him (via ET Canada). "In my 30s, I did not socialize as much as I wanted to. I missed Thanksgivings because I was going to do something that I thought would be beneficial for my career. I never was at Christmas. Now I look at my scheduling for major marquee moments in my life or someone else's life, I just say, 'I can't,' or, 'No, let's work around it.' And I never had the courage to be able to do that. So there was this ineptness to developing great friendships for a while" (per ET Canada).

This time, it seems as though Seacrest has learned a thing or two from his doctor's advice. Allowing himself the time he needs to rest and recover — and put his well-being first — isn't a bad thing, and his work will be there when he gets back to full form.

Unfortunately, Ryan Seacrest's latest diagnosis isn't the first time that production on "Live with Kelly and Ryan" has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. His co-host on the show, Kelly Ripa, previously tested positive for the virus in May 2022 and had to isolate herself (via People). Speaking by telephone to Seacrest and Ali Wentworth, who was filling in for her as a host, Ripa said at the time, "I feel fine, thank you for checking. I'm just irritated, Ali, as I'm sure you know. You can be as careful as you want; somehow, it found a way. I'm just really bummed out."

Although Seacrest has not previously had COVID-19, he had a two-day absence from "Live with Kelly and Ryan" in October 2020 in relation to the virus (via People). Health and safety protocols behind the scenes of the show required Seacrest to stay home after experiencing a cough that could have been a symptom of COVID-19, but he then tested negative for the virus and was permitted to go back to his hosting duties. He commented to Ripa once he had returned to the hosting desk on television, "Got the negative test results for COVID. Makes you feel very good."

Now having tested positive for COVID, Seacrest hopefully will be able to put his health first and come back to his work once he has recovered, instead of pushing his body beyond its limits.