Ryan Seacrest Stuns Fans with Dramatic New Look Ahead of ‘American Idol’ Season 23

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Ryan Seacrest, the longtime host of ‘American Idol,’ has left fans in shock with a dramatic new look in a promotional video for the show’s upcoming 23rd season. The 50-year-old television personality, known for his clean-shaven appearance and sharp suits, debuted a relaxed style featuring longer, curlier hair and a well-maintained beard.

In the clip shared on the ‘American Idol’ Instagram account, Seacrest appeared in a fitted green button-down shirt, light blue jeans, and taupe pointed boots. Standing in front of a large TV screen, the host showcased his transformed look, which marked a significant departure from his usual polished image. The video also featured a surprise appearance by his mother, Constance, who joined him on-screen.

Fans quickly flooded the comment section with reactions. One fan wrote, ‘Bearded @ryanseacrest wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card,’ while another added, ‘I like the beard! Very handsome!’ Others compared his new look to tech mogul Mark Zuckerberg, with one commenter joking, ‘Looks like he’s turning into another ‘bro’ just like Zuckerberg.’

The promotional video comes ahead of the new season’s premiere in March 2025. Seacrest, who also hosts ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ returned to his clean-shaven appearance for the 2025 Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on December 31, 2024, suggesting the promo was filmed earlier.

The upcoming season of ‘American Idol’ will feature a full-circle moment for Carrie Underwood, who won the competition in 2005. Underwood will join the judging panel alongside Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. ABC recently released a clip highlighting Underwood’s journey from contestant to judge, which sparked emotional reactions from fans. One fan commented, ‘Aww, this gives me chills and made me want to cry. This is so awesome!’

However, Underwood’s return to the spotlight has not been without controversy. The country music star faced backlash after agreeing to perform at the 2025 Presidential Inauguration. Some fans criticized her decision, with one calling it ‘karma’ after her live performance experienced technical difficulties during the event. Underwood addressed the criticism in a statement, saying, ‘I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration. I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity.’

A source close to Underwood told DailyMail.com that the singer hopes to unite the country through her music. ‘She wants to unite the country, and music is her way to do that,’ the source said. ‘She is looking broader than any controversies that have come up and will come up.’

As ‘American Idol’ prepares for its 23rd season, Seacrest’s new look and Underwood’s return promise to make this season one of the most talked-about in the show’s history.