Producers of the ABC reboot are allegedly 'freaking out because they do not want people to tune out or boycott the show due to Ryan hosting.'
- Mar 7, 2018
AceShowbiz - It appears the upcoming reboot of "American Idol" is making a change following sexual harassment allegations leveled up against its host Ryan Seacrest. According to Radar Online, the folks of the revamped show on ABC are "freaking out" that the TV personality's drama may affect the show's ratings.
A source tells the site that "ABC is editing the first two episodes of 'Idol' to focus less on Ryan and more on Katy Perry and the contestants." The alleged move is done as the producers are said to be "freaking out because they do not want people to tune out or boycott the show due to Ryan hosting," another insider claims.
The source adds, "The problem is that he is already so ingrained in the show and it's entire production."
However, a source close to the reboot denied that producers have edited any footage. Viewers can see if the "Live with Kelly and Ryan" co-host is edited when the reboot debuts on March 11 on ABC.
Stylist Suzie Hardy, who worked with Ryan from 2007 to 2013, accused the latter of unwanted sexual aggression. Suzie alleged that Ryan once ground "his erect penis against her while clad only in his underwear." In addition, it was said that Ryan was "groping her vagina, and at one point slapping her buttock so hard that it left a large welt still visible hours later."
Ryan vehemently denied the claims, saying in a lengthy statement, "Sadly, last fall I became one of the accused, which I promptly revealed proactively to the network involved and to the public." He continued, "And to be equally clear, those accusations were then investigated by an independent third-party over the course of a two-month process and involved dozens of interviews that included me, the accused and countless others. Ultimately, my name was cleared. I eagerly participated in the investigation in order to demonstrate my innocence because I know my truth, and I believe in due process."
The 43-year-old host also said that Suzie was after money. "This person who has accused me of horrible things offered, on multiple occasions, to withdraw her claims if I paid her millions of dollars. I refused. I have worked extremely hard to achieve my success and I don't take my opportunities for granted," he stated. "I don't want to accuse anyone of not telling the truth but in this case, I have no choice but to again deny the claims against me, remind people that I was recused of any wrongdoing, and put the matter to rest."
