Simon Cowell shaded his former “American Idol” co-star Ryan Seacrest by admitting he doesn’t follow the latter’s career.
On Saturday’s episode of the New York Times podcast, “The Interview,” the TV personality was asked why he thought Seacrest was “so popular.”
“I don’t know, actually,” he said. “He was very, very ambitious. And look, I don’t follow his career if I’m being honest with you.”
“So I don’t know what he’s done or doing,” Cowell, 66, continued. “We rarely talk now.
“I always knew with Ryan, he was very steely about his career, wanting to be famous. I mean this massive, massive desire about being very famous.”
The former “X Factor” judge, however, acknowledged that Seacrest, 50, “does work hard.”
Despite Cowell’s remarks, his rep told Page Six there has never been a feud between him and Seacrest.
Reps for Seacrest weren’t immediately available to Page Six for comment.
The duo worked alongside each other on “American Idol” from Season 1 in 2002 to when Cowell departed the show after Season 9 in 2010.
Seacrest was the show’s host while Cowell was a judge alongside Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
The co-stars notably clashed on camera, including in 2007 when Cowell commented on Seacrest’s sexuality.
At the time, Seacrest asked Cowell if he had any advice for performer Melinda Doolittle wearing four-inch high heels, per TMZ.
“You should know, Ryan,” he responded, as Seacrest clapped back, “Stay out of my closet.”
“Come out!” Cowell then said.
However, the controversial remarks, along with several others, were reportedly scripted, per Today.
“Simon and Ryan are real good friends off-camera,” a source told the outlet. “When the show is on the road for auditions, the two go for drinks and dinner … There’s no real drama. It’s all for the cameras!”
That same year, Seacrest called out Cowell for calling him a “sweetheart” on air, telling the record executive, “Don’t call me sweetheart. … We don’t have that kind of relationship. I don’t want that kind of relationship.”
Then, in 2010, Seacrest told Entertainment Weekly that Cowell was “so jealous” of him, saying, “From Day One, he was envious of my career at such a young age.”
Seacrest, however, shared that he and Cowell don’t hold grudges during a 2010 interview on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.”
“We’re actually friendly,” he said. “We don’t hold a grudge. We have a very competitive spirit and attitude on the show, but we’re friends.”
The radio show host appeared on DeGeneres’ show again in 2017 and referred to Cowell as “always entertaining,” per “Entertainment Tonight.”
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