Ryan Seacrest upping his 'idolatry' of Carrie Underwood 'to crazy level' annoying 'American Idol' judges

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ryan Seacrest’s admiration for country star and 'American Idol' alum Carrie Underwood has reached a fever pitch, and while it’s understandable that the long-time host is thrilled to have her on board as a judge, his intense focus on Carrie has started to cause tension on the show.

According to an insider, Ryan’s “idolatry” of Carrie is rubbing fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie the wrong way, stirring up some serious drama behind the scenes, as reported by Life and Style Magazine.

Ryan Seacrest’s admiration for Carrie Underwood annoying 'American Idol' judges

Carrie Underwood, who skyrocketed to fame after winning the fourth season of 'American Idol', has now returned to the show as a judge, replacing Katy Perry.

Seacrest, who has hosted the show since its inception in 2002, is known for being professional and friendly with all of the show’s rotating panelists.

However, sources say that Carrie holds a unique place in his heart, and it’s becoming clear to everyone involved.

“Everyone’s glad Carrie’s joined the panel,” an insider exclusively revealed to Life & Style. “She’s not only a huge talent who contributes so much to the show, but she’s a sweetheart to boot. But Ryan’s taking his idolatry to a crazy level.”

At 49, Seacrest has seen many judges come and go over the years.

From the iconic trio of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson to more recent stars like Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, he has navigated through several eras of the show. Yet, Carrie, now 41, seems to have captured his admiration like no other.

The insider went on to explain that Seacrest has made it his personal mission to ensure Underwood feels comfortable in her new role.

“She’s quite nervous and wants to do her best job, and Ryan’s appointed himself Carrie’s guiding light. She’s his favorite. He gives her most, if not all, of his attention. When she speaks, he’s all ears,” the source explained.

While Underwood might appreciate the extra attention from the seasoned host, it’s starting to cause tension with her co-judges.

Bryan, 48, and Richie, 75, have reportedly noticed Seacrest's clear favoritism and are not happy about it.

“The guys are pretty spellbound by Carrie, too, and they don’t blame her a bit. But Ryan’s obvious preferential treatment of her has their noses out of joint, and they’re getting really mad at him,” the insider added. “It’s almost like Luke and Lionel are not as important as they used to be.”

Lionel Richie thinks Carrie Underwood 'is the best thing that’s happened to Idol in a long time'

As if Ryan Seacrest's intense admiration for Underwood wasn’t enough, Lionel Richie himself has admitted to being smitten by the country star. Another source previously told Life & Style that Lionel has been “crushing on her big time” and is excited to work alongside her.

Lionel, who has been with the show since 2018, shares the sentiment that Carrie’s addition is one of the best things to happen to 'American Idol' in recent years.

“He’s looking forward to getting to know her better,” the source added. The 'Stuck on You' singer seems to believe that Carrie brings a fresh, exciting energy to the show, making her presence a significant boost.

In fact, Richie is quoted as saying that Underwood “is the best thing that’s happened to Idol in a long time.”

It’s clear that Underwood's presence on the panel is creating quite a stir, and not just because of Seacrest's behavior.

Underwood, known for hits like 'Before He Cheats' and 'Jesus, Take the Wheel', is replacing pop icon Perry, who is stepping down after seven years to focus on her musical comeback with her latest album, '143'.

As Underwood steps into this new role, it’s clear that she’s already shaking things up—both on and off the set.