Ryan Seacrest's Rep Responds After Eyebrow-Raising 'Idol' Moment
Ryan Seacrest usually shows up onscreen leading hopeful performers along the path to possible stardom on American Idol (although they don't always succeed) or attempting to charm celebrities at the Oscars (although he doesn't always succeed). However, while hosting Idol on May 17, 2020, the star stirred up concern over his well-being due to his surprising and somewhat concerning behavior.
Seacrest — who was also "absen[t] from Live with Kelly and Ryan" the following morning, according to People — was "nimbly juggling on-air hosting duties as contestants appeared remotely from their homes. However, "[t]owards the end of the show ... [Seacrest] appeared off." Not only were "his words ... slightly slurred," but "his right eye appeared larger than his left" leading viewers to worry that he "was not well, or had suffered some kind of neurological episode."
Social media users quickly took to Twitter to express their worries, with one Idol viewer tweeting, "Is @RyanSeacrest okay? Not making light of this. He went from normal to his speech being off and his eye shutting halfway." Many others also posted messages wondering if Seacrest was in trouble and in need of help.
In response, Seacrest's rep has spoken out to explain why the star's behavior didn't seem quite right.
Ryan Seacrest's rep addressed worries that the star had suffered a stroke
Ryan Seacrest can rest assured knowing that his fans are looking out for him. After he was noticeably struggling with both his speech and his eye during the May 17, 2020 episode of American Idol, a representative for the star spoke out to explain what was going on. The rep first addressed a major concern, telling People, "Ryan did not have any kind of stroke last night."
However, that doesn't mean that Seacrest isn't dealing with a lot at the moment. "Like many people right now, Ryan is adjusting to the new normal and finding work-home balance, with the added stress of having to put on live shows from home [amid the coronavirus pandemic]," the star's rep noted. "Between Live with Kelly and Ryan, American Idol, On-Air with Ryan Seacrest, and the Disney Family Singalong specials, he has been juggling three to four on-air jobs over the last few weeks and he's in need of rest."
For anyone wondering why Seacrest didn't show up for work on Live with Kelly and Ryan the next day, it turns out that he took "a well-deserved day off." Hopefully, his day off included plenty of naps and perhaps a relaxing binge-watching session of his favorite show.