Ryan Seacrest's former stylist accuses him of years-long sexual misconduct
What's the story
A former stylist of 'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest has accused the star of years of sexual misconduct while she worked with him. The accusations were made public by Seacrest in November'17, who denied the "reckless allegations" by "someone that worked as a wardrobe stylist for me nearly a decade ago at E! News." But now Suzie Hardy has revealed the details to Variety.
Beginning
Hardy, a single mother, started working with Seacrest in 2007
Hardy joined Seacrest's team on "E! News" in 2007. They had worked together on a Vanity Fair shoot earlier. Seacrest soon began asking her to be around even without need and started giving her expensive gifts. His assistant also began telling her that he's "really into you." However, she rejected his offer to "take a nap" together while working on a 2007 program.
Misconduct
Seacrest hugged her in his underwear, grabbed her crotch
Hardy traced the beginning of his aggressive behavior to a 2007 incident in his E! dressing room. Seacrest, in his underwear, gave her "a bear hug" and held on for long. This apparently happened over 10 times throughout the years. In 2008, while walking to the sets, he allegedly slipped his hand under her crotch from behind, asking "Are you going to sue me?"
Support
Many of Hardy's former coworkers and friends back her claims
Hardy's former coworkers and friends supported many of her claims. One said Seacrest would often push her head into his crotch while she was tying his shoelaces. Once he slapped Hardy's buttocks so hard, there was a scar hours later. Another time, while in his underwear, he grabbed her, threw her on a bed and rubbed his erection against her till others started shouting.
Quote
Seacrest's "most egregious offense," according to Hardy
According to Hardy, Seacrest's "most egregious offense" happened in 2010, when she was dating an entertainment attorney. Seacrest apparently asked her, "Have you f&$%ked him yet?" When she urged him not to ask her such questions, he allegedly grabbed her vagina. She fled in tears.
End
Two weeks after Hardy informed HR, she was let go
Hardy didn't lodge a complaint as being a single mother, she was dependent on the regular pay, she said. She informed HR in 2013, when they asked her about her relationship with Seacrest. Two weeks later, she was told her employment was up. E! finally launched a "third-party investigation" in November. In January, it concluded there was "insufficient evidence to support her claims."
Reax
Seacrest continues denying allegations, lawyer says Hardy had demanded money
Seacrest has consistently denied Hardy's allegations. His attorney Andrew Baum alleged Hardy had demanded $15mn from Seacrest, threatening to otherwise make false claims against him. "It's telling that after he refused to pay her, and the E! investigation resulted as it did, that she's now coming forward to share her debunked story to the press," Baum said. Hardy insists she never demanded any money.