Ryan Seacrest Nominated for Male Star of the Year at the 2026 Critics' Choice Real TV Awards

Ryan Seacrest has been officially nominated for Male Star of the Year at the 2026 Critics' Choice Real TV Awards.

The nominations will be announced on May 5 or 6, 2026, highlighting his significant contributions to ABC's "American Idol" and the syndicated "Wheel of Fortune."

The winner of the award will be announced online on June 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

"American Idol" also received a nomination in the Best Competition Series (Talent/Variety) category, recognizing the quality of the show's production and entertainment offerings.

In the Male Star of the Year category, Ryan Seacrest will compete closely with Alan Cumming of "The Traitors," Chris Hemsworth of "Limitless," Robert Irwin of "Dancing with the Stars," and Stanley Tucci of "Tucci in Italy."

Ryan John Seacrest was born on December 24, 1974, in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.

He is the son of Gary Lee Seacrest, a real estate attorney, and Constance Marie (née Zullinger) Seacrest, a homemaker.

From an early age, Ryan showed an interest in broadcasting.

His mother once mentioned that Ryan often played with toy microphones and created his own shows at home.

He attended Dunwoody High School and later studied journalism at the University of Georgia, before moving to Los Angeles at the age of 19 to pursue a broadcasting career.

Ryan has a sister, Meredith Seacrest Leach.

Regarding his personal life, Ryan Seacrest is currently single after separating from his last girlfriend, Aubrey Paige, in April 2024 and he has no children.

Ryan Seacrest's broadcasting career began at the age of 16 as an intern at Atlanta radio station WSTR.

After moving to Los Angeles, he began his television career, hosting the first season of ESPN's "Radical Outdoor Challenge" in 1993, as well as the children's game shows "Gladiators 2000" and "Click."

A turning point in his career came in 2002 when he co-hosted Fox's "American Idol" with Brian Dunkleman.

After Dunkleman stepped down, Ryan became the sole host, and "American Idol" reached its peak popularity, averaging 26 million viewers per week.

He remained host until the end of the original run in 2016 and returned for a revival on ABC in 2018.

In radio, Ryan launched the syndicated show "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" in 2003 and took over "American Top 40" from Casey Kasem in January 2004.

He also co-hosted "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" in 2005 and became the sole host after Clark's death in 2012.

In 2017, he joined Kelly Ripa as co-host of "Live with Kelly," which was later renamed "Live with Kelly and Ryan."

Ryan left the show in April 2023, citing his travel schedule and residence in Los Angeles.

Since September 2024, Ryan Seacrest has taken over for Pat Sajak as host of "Wheel of Fortune."

Additionally, in 2006, Ryan founded Ryan Seacrest Productions, a television production company responsible for various reality programs, including "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" (2007–21) and the Emmy-winning "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution."

Throughout his career, Ryan has received numerous awards and nominations, including Emmy nominations for "American Idol" every year from 2004 to 2013, as well as a nomination for "Live with Kelly and Ryan" in 2018.