What Happened To Brian Dunkleman? 'American Idol' Co-Host Now Uber Driver

Brian Dunkleman, the former co-host of “American Idol”, is currently an Uber driver.

So how did a man who hosted one of the most popular talent hunt reality show along with someone like Ryan Seacrest end up driving for a ride-sharing company? Dunkleman, 47, told TMZ the career choice was the consequence of his nasty divorce and a child custody case.

His estranged wife, Kalea Dunkleman, has been accused by Brian of physical abuse, alcohol addiction, and child stealing during their two-year-long divorce proceedings, which are still going on as well as a custody battle for their five-year-old son, Jackson. The couple got married in 2007.

One of the examples of Kalea’s abusive behavior, revealed by Brian, was when she had drunkenly punched him in the face. However, Kalea countered the allegation by claiming that it was her husband who was the real abuser, recounting an incident when he threw her against the wall in front of their son. She did, however, admit to her drinking problem, adding that she had brought it under control.

Brian further revealed that he began working for Uber in March 2016. He now earns about $800 a week by working 45 hours. He said he has $2,000 in his checking account and his total monthly expense is around $1,605, which includes $1,500 rent.

Brian quit as the co-host of “American Idol” after the first season 17 years ago. After that, he only appeared on television a couple of times, including the "American Idol" series finale for Fox in 2016.

During the series finale, he revealed that before he resigned, he had found out the showrunners of “American Idol” were going to end his contract because they believed they only need one host for the show and Seacrest was a better fit.

“They informed me that they had decided that the show would be better served with just one host,” he said, Mail Online reported. “And that I was not that host. But I announced I was quitting before they could tell me. So, I didn’t know that [at the time].”

He added: “I talked to him [Idol creator Simon Fuller] after the show and he couldn’t have been kinder and more gracious. He said, Brian, we realize that we kind of threw you to the wolves back then because we knew you didn’t have any hosting experience. But we just thought that you were really funny. It really wasn’t fair to you.”

Celebrity Net Worth lists Dunkleman's net worth to be $500 thousand. Seacrest, on the other hand, currently holds a net worth of $410 million, according to the same site, with an annual income of $75 million.