Ryan Seacrest

Ryan Seacrest is the host of TV's American Idol: The Search for a Superstar, the popular talent show that launched pop singers Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. Seacrest got his start in the mid-1990s on FM radio in Atlanta, Georgia and Los Angeles, California. After several hosting jobs on syndicated television shows, Seacrest landed a gig on American Idol in 2002. The show's success helped Seacrest spread his hosting talents to the weekday TV and radio magazine/variety program On-Air with Ryan Seacrest and the radio countdown show American Top 40. He reportedly signed a three-year contract worth $45 million in 2009 to stay on with the American Idol production company.