Ryan Seacrest Details "Embarrassing" American Idol Wardrobe Malfunction

After Ryan Seacrest's pants gave viewers too much of an eyeful during the American Idol season 20 finale, the host was forced to change into someone else's underwear.

By Ashley Joy Parker May 23, 2022 11:24 PMTags

Ryan Seacrest revealed more than just the latest winner of American Idol during the show's season 20 finale on May 22.

The host admitted he suffered an "embarrassing" wardrobe malfunction during the May 22 season finale with viewers at home being able to see what he was working with beneath his pants.

"Apparently, America voted and said there was anatomy in the shot," he joked on the May 23 episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan"There was just panic about it, and we changed it."

As it turned out, after kicking off the live show's start, his longtime stylist Miles Siggins, altered him of the issue. "We go to commercial and he says, 'Can I tell you something? We need to change your underwear,'" Ryan recalled to co-host Kelly Ripa. "I said, 'What do you mean we need to change my underwear?' "

And since he didn't have a backup pair on hand, Miles offered Ryan his own. "He says, 'Don't worry, I got mine,'" the 47-year-old said. "He's English, so he has shorter, tighter ones. They were tight, elastic underwear."

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Celebs in Their Underwear

After all, there was no time to explore other options. "It was in the middle of a live show," he explained. "We go backstage during the commercial and find a little corner and I'm literally taking off my pants, off my underwear, and putting his on."

 

Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images

He added, "It was the first for me for a live show. Anything for the show. It's a family show. Thank you Miles!"

And just like that, the show goes on. He later announced that viewers crowed Noah Thompson their American Idol champ over fellow finalists, HunterGirl and Leah Marlene.

Ryan's underwear debacle comes just two months after Idol judge Katy Perry suffered her own wardrobe malfunction on the show.  As the pop star performed an impromptu version of her hit song "Teenage Dream" on the March 29 episode, she split her pants down the backside seam.

As her fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan laughed on, Katy playfully quipped, "Can I get some tape." 

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