Simon Cowell Says He & Seacrest “Rarely Talk” After American Idol

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Simon Cowell’s friendship with Ryan Seacrest didn’t make it past Hollywood. 

The former American Idol judge, who was on the show from the very beginning in 2002 until he left in 2010, recently revealed that he and the show’s longtime host are no longer in contact.

Simon admitted in a recent interview with the New York Times that he hasn’t been following the other person’s career. ‘I honestly don’t know what he’s been up to or what he’s currently doing,’ Simon said. ‘We don’t really talk much anymore.’

Although Simon Cowell hasn’t stayed in touch with Ryan Seacrest for the past 15 years, the 66-year-old still speaks highly of the Wheel of Fortune host and remembers him fondly from their time working together on American Idol.

You know, I’ve always observed that Ryan was a real go-getter. He had this incredible drive, a serious ambition that was clear from the start. He was incredibly focused on his career and, honestly, really wanted to be famous. It wasn’t just a passing wish; it was a huge, consuming desire for recognition. I always sensed that steely determination in him – he knew what he wanted and went after it.

Since Simon Cowell left American Idol, Ryan Seacrest, now 50, has continued to host the show. It was brought back in 2018 after a two-year break, and he’ll be returning for the 24th season in January, alongside judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood.

Simon Cowell says he has some regrets about his time on Idol, and doesn’t look back on being a harsh judge as one of the best parts of his career.

I’ll be honest, I’ve changed how I approach things over the years,” explained the creator of The X Factor, who is also a father to 11-year-old Eric with his fiancée, Lauren Silverman. “I realized I’d probably pushed things too far. I was getting frustrated with the audition days – I still find them long and boring, and I’d just get fed up with them.

Honestly, it always gets me. You get a hundred positive comments, but they always seem to focus on that one moment where I wasn’t my best self. I’ve realized they’ll always pull out the clip of me looking grumpy or saying something out of line. I get it now. I apologize for acting like a jerk back then. I’m not proud of that version of myself, let’s just leave it at that.

Want to learn more about Simon and Ryan’s experiences on American Idol and discover behind-the-scenes secrets from the show? Keep reading to find out!

 

As a longtime fan of American Idol, I always wondered how the contestants were compensated, and I recently learned a lot! Margie Mays, who was on seasons 17 and 18, explained that you don’t actually get paid just for being on the show – you have to make it to the live rounds to start earning money. She did mention they cover things like travel – when they flew contestants to Hawaii, all expenses were paid, and they even received a daily allowance for food. But the main thing is, you’re not paid a salary just for competing; it’s a sacrifice you make hoping to win.

And the prize is significant! Maddie Poppe, the winner from season 16, shared with Business Insider that the grand prize is $250,000, though taxes take a big chunk out of it. She also explained that half of the money is given upfront, before you finish your album, and the other half comes after. Basically, it’s an advance on your record deal, which you eventually have to earn back.

Let’s talk American Idol auditions! You might be surprised to learn just how many rounds there are before you even get to the judges. Season seven winner David Cook actually told me his initial audition wasn’t his first attempt – it was his fifth! There are several ways to get your foot in the door – open calls, virtual auditions, even social media. But here’s a key thing to know: if the producers like what they hear and call you back, you’re responsible for getting yourself to those auditions. David explained that once you make it to Hollywood Week, then they cover your travel and accommodation. But those initial city auditions? That’s all out of pocket!

So you’ve made it to Hollywood on American Idol – what happens next? Once the judges – Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan – give you that golden ticket, you head to California for Hollywood Week. But who pays for the trip?

According to a former contestant, the show covers all necessary travel expenses. In a TikTok video, she explained that they fly contestants to Hollywood, book the flights, and provide airport transportation. The hotel and all meals are also covered. While you won’t receive any cash, all your expenses are paid for by the show.

In the beginning of the competition, contestants choose their own outfits. As Margie explained in a 2020 TikTok video, once a contestant reaches the live rounds—typically the Top 14 and beyond—the show provides stylists, hair, and makeup to help them transform their look. The goal is to take them from looking like everyday people to stars by the end of the show.

However, stylists have a budget to work with. Former costume designer Soyon An told The Hollywood Reporter in 2013 that contestants were given $400 per episode for their wardrobe. If a costume cost more than that, the contestant had to decide if they wanted to purchase it themselves. This is because contestants are building a personal brand and image throughout the competition.

 

Once Ryan Seacrest announces the results and contestants are eliminated, they quickly prepare to leave. According to a former contestant, Margie, those sent home during Hollywood Week are often put on a flight almost immediately. “You literally leave the theater, go to a separate hotel, and then they put you on a flight,” she explained in a TikTok video.

Things change later in the competition. During the Hawaii round, everyone flies back to Los Angeles together, regardless of whether they made the Top 20. And if a contestant is eliminated between the Top 20 and Top 10, they likely leave quickly. However, those who reach the Top 10 and are then eliminated usually stay in the competition apartments until the finale, as they’re brought back to perform.

Because contestants on American Idol must be at least 15 years old, many are still students while competing. Danielle Finn, who reached the Top 24 at age 17, recalled having school lessons on the set during season 20. Filming was limited to 10 hours a day, and if that limit was exceeded, or if contestants had downtime, they were required to attend school. Victoria Johnson, 16 when she competed in the Showstopper round on season 22, had a similar experience. Even though she was on spring break during Hollywood Week, she still had to complete her required school hours, and ended up doing puzzles because she was ahead in her coursework. She’s now taking all her classes online due to the demands of filming Idol.

Throughout its run, contestants on American Idol have been housed in a variety of places, from apartments and hotels to luxurious mansions. One house, used during season eight, was incredibly lavish, featuring amenities like a basketball court, bowling alley, home theater, and both indoor and outdoor pools. Lil Rounds, a contestant from season eight, recalled the mansion as “sooo awesome” in a February 2024 Instagram post, but also noted they barely got any sleep. More recently, contestants seem to be staying in hotels. For example, Abi Carter, the winner of season 22, and Julia Gagnon, a top seven finalist, shared a room together.

Life was incredibly hectic for contestants on ‘American Idol.’ Season two winner Ruben Studdard described a whirlwind schedule where he’d receive songs on Thursday, choose them Friday, film commercials Friday and Saturday, finalize selections Sunday, record in the studio Sunday night and Monday, and do a full dress rehearsal Tuesday. This meant commercials urging viewers to vote were already filmed before the show even aired. Then, on Wednesday, there was the live elimination show, and the cycle began again. The workload didn’t lessen as the competition narrowed; in fact, it increased. Season thirteen runner-up Jena Irene Asciutto echoed this sentiment, explaining that as contestants were eliminated, those remaining had to fill more time on each episode. By the top eight, they were even filming Ford commercials every Sunday.

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2025-12-02 19:21