Simon Cowell is opening up about his sophisticated relationship with longtime “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest, and followers are shook. In a latest chat, Cowell shared some blunt remarks that immediately sparked hypothesis a couple of behind-the-scenes rift between the previous “American Idol” costars, who helped launch one in all tv’s largest franchises collectively again in 2002. Their on-air chemistry was iconic, however their historical past, stuffed with tense exchanges, competitiveness, and occasional jabs, has all the time fueled rumors of friction. Now, Simon Cowell’s newest feedback are reigniting questions on what actually occurred between the 2 TV titans.

In a uncommon new look on The New York Occasions’ podcast “The Interview,” the 66-year-old actuality TV mogul addressed whether or not he retains up with Seacrest’s profession, weighed in on the host’s rise to fame, and revealed that the 2 “not often discuss now.” When requested why he thought Ryan Seacrest turned so widespread. His reply was unexpectedly sharp. “I don’t know, really,” Cowell mentioned. “He was very, very bold. And look, I don’t comply with his profession if I’m being trustworthy with you. So I don’t know what he’s finished or doing.”

He added that Seacrest has all the time been laser-focused on fame. “I all the time knew with Ryan, he was very steely about his profession, eager to be well-known,” the previous “American Idol” decide mentioned. “I imply this large, large need about being very well-known.”

Cowell did provide one nod of reward, saying Seacrest “does work onerous.”

This is not the primary time there was a suggestion of actual friction between the 2. In 2007, throughout a reside episode, Seacrest requested Cowell if he had recommendation for contestant Melinda Doolittle, who was performing in four-inch heels. Cowell quipped, “It is best to know, Ryan.”

Seacrest hit again, “Keep out of my closet,” to which Cowell replied, “Come out!” Seacrest then shut it down with, “That is concerning the prime 12, not your needs.” Sources later claimed components of the alternate have been scripted and that the 2 have been “actual good mates off-camera,” typically getting drinks and dinner throughout auditions.

Later the identical yr, tensions resurfaced when Cowell known as Seacrest a “sweetheart.” Seacrest shot again, “Don’t name me sweetheart… We don’t have that type of relationship,” to which Cowell replied, “I don’t need that type of relationship.” Seacrest agreed, “Precisely. We’ll simply work collectively.”

Their banter escalated once more when Seacrest accused Cowell of being “so detrimental,” to which Cowell responded, “I’m not being detrimental. Not like you, I really respect the viewers at house, and I don’t imagine in mendacity to them.” Seacrest noticeably excluded Cowell’s title when thanking the judges later within the episode.

Cowell wasn’t the one one throwing shade. In 2010, shortly after Cowell left “Idol,” Seacrest informed Leisure Weekly that Cowell had been “so jealous” of him, claiming, “From day one, he was envious of my profession at such a younger age.”

He later softened his stance. In a 2010 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, Seacrest insisted, “We’re really pleasant. We don’t maintain a grudge. We have now a really aggressive spirit and perspective on the present, however we’re mates.”

And in 2017, he praised Cowell once more on Ellen, calling him “all the time entertaining.”