Ryan Seacrest has denied misconduct allegations brought against him by a former stylist.
Cable channel E! has announced it’s conducting an internal investigation after the wardrobe stylist complained that the TV host had behaved ‘inappropriately toward her’ around a decade ago.
Seacrest, who did not reveal the specifics of the allegations, has spoken out to publicly deny the claims after the stylist reportedly asked him to pay for her silence, a source told the Hollywood Reporter.
Ryan Seacrest has denied misconduct allegations brought against him by a former stylist
The host of Live With Kelly and Ryan and On Air With Ryan Seacrest, is said to have declined her ‘substantial financial ask’ via his lawyers.
He has apologized to the stylist if he ‘made her feel anything but respected’ but refuted allegations he’s been inappropriate, calling the claims ‘reckless’.
The 42-year-old American Idol host, who is one of Hollywood’s top-paid TV entertainers, insisted he’d always been an advocate for women and was ‘proud’ of his workplace reputation.
In a public statement, released to USA Today, he said: ‘Recently, someone that worked as a wardrobe stylist for me nearly a decade ago at E! News, came forward with a complaint suggesting I behaved inappropriately toward her.
Seacrest, whose girlfriend is Shayna Taylor (pictured together) has spoken out to publicly deny the claims after the stylist reportedly asked him to pay for her silence
‘If I made her feel anything but respected, I am truly sorry. I dispute these reckless allegations and I plan to cooperate with any corporate inquiries that may result. I treat all my colleagues with kindness, dignity, and understanding, as this is a principle that’s core to who I am.’
Seacrest, whose girlfriend is Shayna Taylor, continued: ‘Throughout my 25 years in the entertainment industry, the majority of my co-workers have been women, and I’ve endeavored to foster a positive work environment of mutual respect and courtesy, as that’s how I believe it should be.
‘I’m distraught that anyone or any situation would call that into question. I’m proud of my workplace reputation, and believe my track record will speak for itself. I’m an advocate for women. I will continue to support their voices.’
The 42-year-old American Idol host, who is one of Hollywood’s top-paid TV entertainers, insisted he’d always been an advocate for women and was ‘proud’ of his workplace reputation
E! is now holding an internal investigation.
The allegations have emerged amid a wave of sexual harassment allegations that have rocked Hollywood.
The doors opened after a bombshell expose in The New York Times on October 5 reported sexual assault claims against Harvey Weinstein, and the scandal has grown to expose claims against Kevin Spacey, James Toback and Louis C.K.