Throughout Ryan Seacrest’s early tenure on “American Idol,” speculation was rife over the host’s sexuality, something Simon Cowell evidently loved to have a laugh about. One particularly notable example of this occurred during Season 6. According to Rolling Stone, Seacrest was rather vexed when Cowell called him “sweetheart,” and a tense back and forth ensued. “Don’t call me sweetheart. … We don’t have that kind of relationship,” Seacrest said, adding that he didn’t “want that kind of relationship” with the judge. “I don’t want that kind of relationship,” Cowell reiterated, to which Seacrest responded, “Exactly. We’ll just work together, that’s fine with me.”
According to Towleroad, a similar back and forth occurred when Seacrest asked Season 6 contestant Melinda Doolittle what she believed the hardest part of the competition was. “I would have to say the high heels and these dresses,” she responded. The host then asked Cowell for any advice he might have on the heels, to which he said, “You should know, Ryan.” After Seacrest jokingly told the judge to “stay out of my closet,” he quipped, “Well, come out.”
For what it’s worth, a source close to the show said the jabs about Seacrest’s sexuality were in good fun (via Today): “Most of these rifts have been outlined. Simon and Ryan are real good friends off-camera… When the show is on the road for auditions, the two go for drinks and dinner.”
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