The 43-year-old TV host addressed the misconduct allegations made against him by a former stylist.
Ryan Seacrest says he was "wrongly accused of harassment."
In a guest column for Billboard, the 43-year-old TV host opens up about the misconduct allegations that were made against him by a former stylist at the end of last year.
"In November, I received a letter from a lawyer representing a former show stylist. She claimed that I mistreated her more than a decade ago when we worked together," writes Seacrest, who immediately disputed the "reckless allegations" at the time the claims were made. "This arrived during an unprecedented public reckoning by women in our industry and beyond, courageously coming forward to share their stories, many of them heartbreaking. These women sought to bring attention to the systemic gender inequality that has occurred for decades. I was -- and am -- amazed at their bravery."
"To have my workplace conduct questioned was gut-wrenching," he adds. "I've always aimed to treat all of my colleagues with honesty, respect, kindness and compassion. Yet, I knew, regardless of the confidence I had that there was no merit to the allegations, my name would likely soon appear on the lists of those suspected of despicable words and deeds. The pressures of our overflowing newsfeeds would insist on it."
Seacrest writes in his guest column that an independent third party found the claims against him to be unsubstantiated, and there was no evidence of wrongdoing on his part. He says he hopes to use his radio, TV and social media platforms as "powerful conduits for change," focusing on the importance of making sure everyone, "the public, private and public institutions, accusers and alleged accused," is given the opportunity for "a swift and fair review."
"We all have the right to be treated equally, regardless of our gender, race, faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or other status," he explains. "We find ourselves in extraordinary times in American culture. We live with near constant change, disruption and public discourse. I realize the morals and values, the decency, we've perhaps taken for granted, individually and as citizens of the world, are in question. Worse, at risk. I do not take these things for granted."
Hear more on the allegations made against other Hollywood stars, like James Franco, Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, in the video below.
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