Ryan Seacrest Squeals as Jelly Roll Lifts Him Off His Feet on ‘American Idol’ Hollywood Week

Two of the busiest men in showbiz are back together and loving it! Jelly Roll picked up Ryan Seacrest and twirled him around in the air to celebrate becoming American Idol‘s first Artist in Residence.

Ryan, 50, and Jelly Roll, 40, shared the big news with an Instagram video of the joyful announcement on Tuesday, February 4. The host exclaimed “Good to see you buddy!” as the country singer — real name Jason DeFord — let out a big “woohoo” and hoisted Ryan in his arms.

The Georgia native joked about how Jelly Roll had “helicoptered” him while telling the “Save Me” artist, “You’re shaping America’s future” regarding his new job.

“Yes, and I feel like I’m giving them the energy that they need. I’m uplifting and trying to get ’em going,” Jelly Roll said of the contestants, while the two men attended a taping for American Idol‘s upcoming season 23.

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“I need you every day,” Ryan responded to his pal’s unbounding enthusiasm before Jelly Roll picked up the radio personality and threw him over his shoulder, carrying him towards the exit. “Wow,” Ryan said of his unexpected ride, adding, “I’m not that heavy, huh?” about the ease in which Jelly Roll was able to hold on to him.

“Had to lift up @ryanseacrest just like I’m gonna lift up the @americanidol hopefuls!” the CMA winner wrote in the caption of his post. “Honored to be Idol’s first-ever ARTIST IN RESIDENCE — mentoring with heart, soul, and real experience!”

“I join the show during Hollywood Week, watch it all starting March 9,” Jelly Roll added, which happens to be the date of American Idol‘s season 23 premiere on ABC.

Jelly Roll isn’t the only new face joining the upcoming season of American Idol. Country superstar Carrie Underwood joined the judge’s panel in place of the departed judge Katy Perry.

Carrie, 41, shot to stardom after winning season four of American Idol in 2005 when the singing competition was still on Fox. She’s the first AI alum to return to the show as a judge.

“This upcoming season marks 20 years since Carrie won America’s hearts on Idol and launched her successful multi-Grammy Award-winning career. As a former Idol and dynamic musical force, she brings a remarkably unique perspective to one of the most popular shows on television,” Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, said in the August 2024 announcement about the “Before He Cheats” singer’s new gig. “This is a full-circle moment both for the show and audiences at home who have been tuning in for over two decades. Welcome home, Carrie.”

While Jelly Roll doesn’t show up until Hollywood Week, he’s shared a stage with Ryan before. The “Beautifully Broken” singer performed on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve With Ryan Seacrest on December 31, 2023. In a previous show of the pair’s amiability, Jelly Roll picked Ryan up in the air with a hearty laugh after pouring his soul into a medley of hits including “Halfway to Hell,” “Wild Ones” and “Need a Favor.”

Jelly Roll is going to be one busy guy in the months ahead, as in addition to his new job on American Idol, he hitting the road for a stadium tour with Post Malone starting on April 25 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The pair collaborated on the song “Losers” from Post’s first country album, F-1 Trillion.