Ryan Seacrest Refusing To Put Down Permanent Roots In NYC Fuels Feud Rumors With Kelly Ripa
Kelly Ripa might have a great new co-host in Ryan Seacrest, but that doesn’t mean the drama is over. A few weeks after Live with Kelly and Ryan premiered, Ripa and Seacrest are reportedly feuding behind the scenes. With Seacrest refusing to buy a home in New York, those rumors are only getting worse.
According to Fox News, Seacrest just started renting a lavish mansion on the Upper East Side for over $75,000 a month. The Live co-host was renting an apartment at 150 Charles St., but decided to move closer to Ripa’s $27 million home on East 76th Street. Despite their close proximity, Seacrest’s inability to purchase a home and put down permanent roots in New York has sparked more rumors of a feud.
The rumors were fueled by the reports of Seacrest’s involvement in the new American Idol reboot. Perez Hilton claims that Seacrest is close to signing a contract with ABC to host the hit singing competition. Katy Perry has already been confirmed as a judge, and adding Seacrest to the bill would definitely be a huge win for the network.
Apart from Perry, a few American Idol alums have been contacted to help judge. This includes Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, and Adam Lambert, though nothing has been officially announced. Other judges might include Chris Martin from Coldplay.
If Seacrest hosts American Idol next year, then his future on Live might be in jeopardy. After all, Seacrest has a lot of projects on his plate already, and adding a full-time hosting gig might put his schedule over the top.
Speaking of schedules, Radar Online reports that Ripa is planning on taking some time off this summer, leaving Seacrest to host Live all by himself. An insider told the outlet that Ripa is only planning on doing a few shows every week and skipping out on Friday’s this summer.
“Come this summer, Kelly is only going to be doing four shows a week on Live — not even pre-taping Friday’s show,” the source revealed. “Ryan will be getting co-hosts and will have to be there on Fridays live instead of doing a pre-tape on Thursdays of Friday shows.”
Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa have been pre-taping Friday episodes to accommodate his busy schedule. Seacrest currently has his own radio show and produces two reality TV shows, all of which are based in Los Angeles.
Given Seacrest’s apparent lack of commitment, Ripa is concerned that she’ll suffer another Michael Strahan situation. As fans will recall, Strahan unexpectedly left Live last year for a spot on Good Morning America.
In light of all the rumors, a spokesperson for the show has come forward and debunked the notion that Ripa is taking time off. “This isn’t true. Kelly and Ryan will continue to host the show together five days a week throughout the summer, except during their individual vacation weeks,” the rep shared.
Whatever the truth, it’s clear that Ripa and Seacrest are having trouble fighting all the rumors. According to Fox News, Andy Cohen, a longtime friend of Ripa and host of Watch What Happens Live, offered Seacrest a bit of advice to get through the tough times ahead.
“I think [Ryan Seacrest] should not underestimate how smart she is,” Cohen admitted. “I just don’t think he should underestimate her in any way. [Kelly’s] smart. She’s been doing that show for a long time. She’s a business woman, a great mom…”
Ripa announced Seacrest as her new co-host on May 1, almost a year following Strahan’s exit.
Live with Kelly and Ryan airs weekdays on ABC.
Tell us! Do you think Ryan Seacrest will stick with Live full time if he goes back to hosting American Idol? Let us know in the comments below.
[Featured Image by Disney/ABC]
