‘American Idol’ Viewers Upset After Ryan Seacrest Makes “Brutal” Comments to Contestants: “Be More Considerate and Careful”

By Raven Brunner Twitter @raventbrunner

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It’s not easy delivering bad news – and some American Idol viewers think Ryan Seacrest may be having too much fun doing so. The television host was criticized this week after delivering back-to-back puns to losing contestants. 

In Monday’s (April 24) episode, Seacrest told contestant Michael Williams, “Last night, you sang ‘Lose You to Love Me.’ After the vote, we might lose you tonight.” He went on to explain that Williams did not make the Final 12 and would have to perform again for a chance to advance to the next round. 

In the same episode, Seacrest delivered bad news to fan-favorite contestant Olivia Soli and many accused him of trolling the singer. Seacrest said, “After the vote, America wants to see more power” and was met with applause from the audience.

He continued, “You’re not in the Top 12, but it’s not over.”

The ABC reality show’s viewers were left furious by the puns and took to social media to support the two eliminated contestants.

One told Seacrest, “Stop slow-rolling these poor finalists in announcing who makes it to the next round. It’s so effed up. ‘America wants to see more power, so you’re not making it?'”

Another wrote, “Ryan is doing a terrible job delivering this news.” A third chimed in with, “Ryan Seacrest didn’t need to do Olivia Soli like that. We all thought she was in Top 10 with how he worded it.”

Others have called Seacrest’s comments “snarky” and “misleading.”

Seacrest recently left the ABC talk show Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years, and was replaced by Mark Conseulos. The exit was timed to his return to Los Angeles to host the live episodes of American Idol.

On the day of his final broadcast, Seacrest wrote on social media, “I’m going to miss my Live family, there’s no other place like it. I’m truly grateful and honored to have been a part of it for 6 years. Thank you.”

His co-host, Kelly Ripa, told him during the emotional event, “This has been the fastest six years of my life. I’m so grateful that our success together on this show has led to us developing an even closer, yet co-dependent relationship.”

Seacrest was dealt a bad hand with the recent season of the singing competition, which has proven to be its messiest season yet. In the early rounds, two contestants decided to leave early due to personal reasons. Additionally, Katy Perry — who judges alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan — has received flack for being mean to contestants. 

American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8/7c on ABC.