Ryan Seacrest Admits He Is ‘Depressed to Be Single’ in Shocking Relationship Confession on ‘American Idol’

Ryan Seacrest shared a confession about his love life during a recent episode of American Idol, leaving some viewers speechless.

The jaw-dropping moment happened after contestant Thunderstorm Artis performed a touching original song called “Out of the Blue” in honor of his wife, Faith, for Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11. After he captivated the stage, Ryan, 50, gave him props and made a comment about his lack of romance in his own life.

“Well done,” the American Idol host said. “It is a beautiful song with beautiful lyrics. I just printed them out backstage. ‘Your green eyes are soft like the summer and your touch can put out the embers of my burning heart from that gray December.’ I’ve never been more depressed to be single than right now in this moment.”

Aside from Ryan’s quip, the judges were also thoroughly impressed by Thunderstorm’s performance, with Lionel Richie saying, “You are about to turn your thunderstorm into a tornado. It is clear to me that if you’re writing those lyrics and you’re writing those melodies, you have what we call a career. … The sky’s the limit for you, my friend.”

“We’re so comfortable with what you are as a songwriter. … You’re just checking all those boxes to where we can just sit back and enjoy the Thunderstorm show,” Luke Bryan added.

Thunderstorm ended up being one of the artists who made it through to the top five, thanks to America’s votes, along with Breanna Nix, Jamal Roberts, John Foster and Slater Nalley.

“You are an artist,” Carrie Underwood agreed about his performance of his original song. “You’ve brought some really amazing songs to us already throughout your time with us.”

Ryan is no stranger to sharing snippets about his love life on the show, along with Wheel of Fortune, which he now hosts. He was most recently in a relationship with Aubrey Paige Petcosky for three years before their breakup in April 2024.

“After three beautiful years together, Ryan and Aubrey have mutually decided to part ways,” a source close to the former couple told People. “They plan to stay in each other’s lives as good friends and support one another’s endeavors.”

An insider previously told Closer that Ryan and Aubrey, 27, were talking about taking the next steps in their relationship before their breakup.

“Ryan is notorious for dragging his feet when it comes to settling down, but he and ​Aubrey have definitely discussed having a baby. She would like a wedding first, which has been something Ryan has avoided all his adult life,” a source previously told Closer in April 2024 after their split.

At the time, the source said that Ryan’s American Idol costars were also encouraging him to start a family when he was dating Aubrey.

“Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan have both been telling him about the joys of fatherhood, and during a live American Idol airing, Katy Perry actually yelled at him, ‘Yes, it’s time!’” the source said.