Ryan Seacrest became a household name in 2002 when he started hosting American Idol. He’s been the show’s host for all 24 seasons since, and continues to be a fixture on television, even as the show has evolved with new judges and moved to a different network. With the show’s recent return for its ninth season on ABC (and 25th season overall), Seacrest shared a heartwarming pattern he’s observed.
Ryan Seacrest, juggling his work on Wheel of Fortune and American Idol, recently shared with People how he maintains his energy after hosting the show for over twenty years and twenty-five seasons. He explained:
Each year, we meet hopefuls from across the country, and it’s amazing to see so many who’ve grown up watching the show and have dreamed of auditioning their whole lives.
In 2002, when Kelly Clarkson was an unknown contestant and Ryan Seacrest co-hosted with Brian Dunkleman, no one could have predicted how massively popular American Idol would become. Now, around 2026, the show features singers who likely grew up watching contestants like Kelly Clarkson and dreamed of their own chance to perform on stage.
Who could be more qualified to spot changes over time than someone who’s been involved since the very start? Ryan Seacrest recently realized something he hadn’t noticed even when Kelly Clarkson was first crowned the winner of American Idol while singing “A Moment Like This”:
You know, what I love about this show is hearing people say they never imagined themselves trying out, but then they saw someone – someone like them – who wasn’t the typical contestant. It’s like a lightbulb goes off, and they think, ‘Hey, maybe I could do this!’ That’s really what it’s all about – seeing someone relatable and realizing your own potential. It’s amazing to watch that happen.
Season 9 just started airing on ABC on January 26th (and you can also watch it now with a Hulu subscription), meaning we’ll likely see many more talented contestants like the ones Ryan Seacrest mentioned in the weeks ahead. These new contestants have a lot of impressive past competitors to inspire them.
Kelly Clarkson didn’t just win the first season of the show – she’s become a pop music icon with countless hit songs, hosts a successful talk show, and was a winning coach on The Voice (second only to Blake Shelton!). Jennifer Hudson achieved EGOT status – winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award – even though she didn’t win her season of Idol. Carrie Underwood has earned eight Grammy Awards, and Adam Lambert famously toured and performed with the legendary band Queen.
If you’re interested in becoming a TV host, Ryan Seacrest is a great role model. He’s known for hosting shows like American Idol and Wheel of Fortune, and he previously co-hosted Live with Kelly and Ryan for six seasons. Plus, he’s hosted Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve annually from 2025 to 2026.
Watch American Idol on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. Eastern. This is the ninth season since the show returned to ABC, and the twenty-fifth season overall. Episodes are also available to stream on Hulu the day after they air.
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2026-01-28 16:10