Ryan Seacrest is currently embroiled in his own #MeToo scandal, after shocking revelations emerged this week that he subjected his personal stylist to “years of unwanted sexual aggression” that included
“grinding his erect penis against her while clad only in his underwear, groping her vagina and at one point slapping her buttock so hard that it left a large welt still visible hours later.”
Now: One would think his handlers – and the PTB at the Oscars – would have the sense God gave a goose and remove him from the red carpet this year. I mean… It’s kind of a no-brainer.
But no.
Seacrest has strenuously denied the claims, alleging that he’s being shaken down for cash and citing an investigation by E! parent company NBCUniversal that cleared him of wrongdoing.
So it’s on with the show.
Ryan will work the red carpet, just as he has for over a decade, but the million dollar question is…. will any star stop to talk to him?
Given the white-hot emotions and politics surrounding Hollywood abuse — and the seriousness of the allegations made against Seacrest — the flacks said they would instead direct their clients to Seacrest’s co-host, Giuliana Rancic, or skip E! altogether.
“Usually Ryan is the one you want . . . but there are so many outlets on that carpet, why risk it? There’s plenty of other places for clients to get the exposure,” one PR powerhouse told us.
Another PR source said it would depend on the client, but “if it was a [client who had been involved in the #MeToo movement], I would never put them in that position. I don’t think any smart person would.”
Watching Ryan standing alone, barking at celebrities to please stop and talk to him as they glide by – THAT might be more interesting than anything that happens at the actual show.
(via Page Six; Photo: Pacific coast News)
