Ryan Seacrest Reflects on What He'd Do Differently at the Start of His Broadcasting Career

Ryan Seacrest has spent more than three decades making broadcasting look effortless. But even he admits there's something he wishes he'd approached differently when he was just starting out.

When it comes to hosting, Ryan Seacrest is a household name, having spent more than three decades honing his craft between radio and TV. Though he now makes it look so easy, the “American Idol” host admits he had a lot to learn when he was just starting, and there were some things he wished he had done differently.

Ryan Seacrest during an episode of "American Idol" in March 2026 | Source: Getty Images

One is being too focused on perfection. "I think when I started, I wanted to be perfect," the 51-year-old host told People. "You know, I was trying to prove myself, and I wanted everything to be exactly right and no mistakes, and I didn't want to admit to not knowing certain things. I think that I sort of maybe focused too much on that early on."

Having learned from that experience, the hosting veteran is passing on the wisdom to aspiring hosts. As part of the search for the next generation of broadcasters through Colossal's Top Host competition, Seacrest advises, "For someone that's starting out, it's okay to not know everything and not be perfect.”

Seacrest adds that it is imperfection that actually makes hosts more relatable. “Those imperfections can become the most connectable qualities and some of the best moments in any content," he says. (People)

For Seacrest, who has hosted everything from “American Idol” and “American Top 40” to “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve” and “Wheel of Fortune,” the key is authenticity. That means being true to oneself and “not trying to be what they think other people want.” He adds, "They need to be authentic and be who they are. And that doesn't always mean you have to be perfect or know everything for sure, but just curious and genuine."

Ryan Seacrest on the set of "Wheel of Fortune" in March 2026 | Source: Getty Images

When it comes to what makes a great host, Seacrest says there’s one valuable quality that stands out: how well one listens. "It's not even about the talking," he said. "I really believe, and I had to learn this over the years, that the best hosts and best conversationalists with others in an interview are those who can listen the most and listen the best and not necessarily have to follow a prepared list of questions or prepared narrative conversation."

The best interviewers, he added, are those who can adapt quickly to wherever the conversation goes and don’t stick to the script rigidly.

Ryan Seacrest speaks onstage during the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 19, 2026 | Source: Getty images

Even after decades on air, Seacrest is still excited every time he goes on air. What makes him confident is being prepared. "I think the key for the comfort level... is preparation,” he said. “You are much more confident when you've prepared for the different scenarios that could be part of a live show."

Seacrest is grateful that someone took a chance on him when he was just starting. And that’s exactly why he’s actively involved in Colossal’s Top Host.

The nationwide competition is in search of emerging audio and broadcasting talents, the winner of which will receive $25,000, host a professionally produced six-episode podcast series with iHeartRadio, and appear as a featured guest on an episode of “On Air with Ryan Seacrest.”

The competition will also benefit the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, founded in 2010, which brings broadcast media studios to pediatric hospitals so young patients can create content, host podcasts, and interview celebrity guests while receiving treatment.

"When I look back at how I got my start, somebody had to give me a break," Seacrest reflected. "Somebody had to be willing to open a door. And essentially, that's what we're doing with this contest with Top Host."