Oscars Red Carpet: Ryan Seacrest Only Interviews Three Female Nominees

The 2018 Oscars red carpet had no shortage of celebrities, but E!’s “Live from the Red Carpet” special did. Only a few ladies chatted with interviewer Ryan Seacrest, who is currently facing allegations of sexual harassment.

Seacrest maintained his usual post on the red carpet interviewing celebrities, but just a few females came up to him. Only three of those females were nominated: Allison Janney, Mary J. Blige and Diane Warren.

“I, Tonya” star Allison Janney is up for best supporting actress at the Oscars, and she answered Seacrest’s questions about tackling the role of Tonya Harding’s mother and learning about the nomination.

“Mudbound” star Mary J. Blige, who is up for both best supporting actress and best original song, also spoke to Seacrest. “It means so much because this is what I’ve been doing for 25 years, and to have the Oscars recognize me as a songwriter and a singer, aw man, this is like a cherry on top,” she told the host before adding that she loves his morning show, “Live With Kelly and Ryan.”

Friends also helped out Seacrest. “Live With Kelly and Ryan” co-host Kelly Ripa chatted with him after publicly supporting him on their morning show. He also interviewed songwriter Diane Warren, who is nominated for best original song (“Stand Up For Something” from “Marshall”), and noted that she was a close friend. Andra Day, who performed on Warren’s song, also spoke with Seacrest.

Other female interviewees were either presenting or supporting cast members from nominated films. Rita Moreno, who wore the same dress she wore to the 1962 Oscars, spoke to Seacrest alongside her daughter. Betty Gabriel from “Get Out” and Eiza Gonzáles from “Baby Driver” also spoke to him. Sofia Carson, host of the “Oscars: All Access” special, also stopped by.

Several men also chatted with Seacrest. Christopher Plummer, Richard Jenkins, Gael García Bernal, Bradford Whitley, Lil Rel Howery and Donald Sutherland were interviewed by the “American Idol” host.

Seacrest faced sexual harassment allegations from stylist Suzie Hardy. According to a detailed report from Variety, Hardy claims he groped her vagina in addition to several other inappropriate actions. Seacrest has denied the allegations, and E! announced that an investigation provided no evidence to support Hardy’s claims.

The network decided that Seacrest would maintain his regular position on the 2018 Academy Awards red carpet. However, they were airing on a 30-second delay. While E! stated that the delay is just to cut out awkward space between interviews, Deadline reports that the decision was made to ensure that no comments about Seacrest’s accuser would air.

Though Time’s Up, the anti-sexual harassment movement, remained a hot topic on the red carpet, the organizers did not tell female stars to avoid Seacrest.

“God, I’d hate for this whole thing to become a sound bite about Ryan Seacrest, I really would,” director Ava DuVernay told reporters (via the Los Angeles Times). “It’s up to the individuals that are going to be there to do what they’re gonna do. There’s not an official Time’s Up act about this. … We support people who are bearing witness to what has happened to them, but the bottom line is if you’re on the carpet, you make your individual decision about it.”

The 2018 Oscars air Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. Find out how to watch the red carpet HERE. Learn how to live stream the show HERE.