Seacrest and Cowell’s Banter on American Idol
During a memorable moment on American Idol, a contestant expressed their discomfort with wearing high heels and dresses on the show. Host Ryan Seacrest turned to judge Simon Cowell for some advice, to which Cowell cheekily replied, “You should know, Ryan.”
Seacrest jokingly warned Cowell to stay out of his closet, to which Cowell playfully responded, “Well, come out,” seemingly teasing Seacrest about his sexuality. Despite rumors in the past, Seacrest has always been open about dating women and denying any speculation about his sexual orientation.
Rumors circulated that the banter between Seacrest and Cowell was scripted and pre-planned. An insider revealed that the two would often go out for drinks and dinner during auditions, indicating that their on-screen dynamic was all for the cameras and there was no real drama between them.
In 2017, Seacrest dismissed any claims of a feud with Cowell, expressing that he actually misses working with the music mogul. The former American Idol host hinted at a fondness for their interactions and the dynamic they shared on the show.

