SIMON Cowell has shaded his former American Idol co-star Ryan Seacrest in a new interview with The New York Times.
The America’s Got Talent judge and media mogul, 66, had an unexpected reaction when asked about his onetime colleague, 50, during a candid talk on The Daily podcast with journalist Lulu Garcia Navarro.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 16: Simon Cowell attends the “America’s Got Talent” Season 20 Semifinals Red Carpet at Hotel Dena on September 16, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)Credit: Getty
Ryan now hosts Wheel of Fortune after Pat Sajak’s retirementCredit: Wheel of Fortune
Randy Jackson, Carrie Underwood, Simon and Ryan attended the 17th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar party on February 22, 2009 in West HollywoodCredit: Getty
Paula Abdul, Randy, Ryan and Simon posted together during Season 5 of American Idol in 2006Credit: Getty
When the reporter admitted she’s “mystified” by Ryan‘s success and asked Simon to explain it, he laughed.
“I can’t really answer that one if I’m being honest with you. He does work hard,” he responded.
“A lot of people work hard,” Lulu said.
“I don’t know, actually. He was very, very ambitious. And look, I don’t follow his career if I’m being honest with you,” Simon said, despite Ryan’s success on American Idol, Wheel of Fortune, Live with Kelly and Ryan and radio shows.
“So I don’t know what he’s done or doing. We rarely talk now.
“I always knew with Ryan, he was very steely about his career, wanting to be famous.
“I mean this massive, massive desire about being very famous.”
CLASHING ON CAMERA
Simon worked alongside Ryan from American Idol’s first season in 2002 until his departure in 2010.\
Lauren Silverman finally takes Simon’s name as pals spill on their secret life
They butt heads on camera, and one scene particularly shocked viewers when it aired on Season 6 in 2007.
When a contestant complained about having to wear high heels and dresses on the show, Ryan asked Simon for any advice he could offer.
“You should know, Ryan,” Simon responded.
“Stay out of my closet,” Ryan warned Simon.
“Well, come out,” Simon quipped, seemingly joking about Ryan’s sexuality. (Ryan has always dated women, and denied gay rumors in his early days of fame.)
According to a report at the time, the jab was scripted and planned ahead of time.
Ryan denied a long-standing feud with Simon in 2017, insisting he “misses” working with him.
Simon and Ryan reunited during FOX’s American Idol Finale For The Farewell Season at Dolby Theatre on April 7, 2016 in HollywoodCredit: Getty
Ryan shook hands with Simon back on the show set in 2006Credit: Getty
News
The Fowler Clan’s Children Were Found in 1976 — Their DNA Did Not Match Humans
In the summer of 1976, three children were found living in a root cellar beneath what locals called the Fowler…
He Ordered a Black Woman Out of First Class—Then Realized She Signed His Paycheck
He told a black woman to get out of first class, then found out she was the one who signs…
Cop Poured Food On The Head Of A New Black Man, He Fainted When He Found Out He Was An FBI Agent
He dumped a plate of food on a man’s head and fainted when he found out who that man really…
Black Billionaire Girl’s Seat Stolen by White Passenger — Seconds Later, the Flight Is Grounded
The cabin was calm until Claudia Merritt, 32, tall, pale-kinned, sharp featured daughter of Apex Air’s CEO, stepped into the…
Four Men Jumped a Billionaire CEO — Until the Waiter Single Dad Used a Skill No One Saw Coming
The city’s most exclusive restaurant, late night, almost empty. A billionaire CEO just stood up from the VIP table when…
Bullies Threw the New Teacher Into Mud — Then She Showed Them a Hidden Black Belt Isn’t Fake
“Guess that black belt doesn’t help with balance.” Brandon Walsh stands over the substitute teacher sprawled in the mud pit,…
End of content
No more pages to load
