Ryan Seacrest dismisses speculation he had a stroke during ‘American Idol’ finale

Longtime “American Idol� host Ryan Seacrest worried several fans during Sunday night’s finale when he appeared to have difficulty speaking for a portion of the virtual broadcast.

But according to a statement obtained Monday by People magazine, the multi-hyphenate entertainer is just fine — if a little stressed — after closing out the competition show’s 18th season.

Multiple “American Idol� viewers pointed out Sunday that Seacrest seemed to be having a harder time than usual delivering his lines, and that his right eye looked halfway shut toward the end of the show, prompting the question, “Is Ryan Seacrest OK?�

The veteran host was also absent from Monday’s episode of “Live With Kelly and Ryan�: “Ryan worked late last night on ‘American Idol,’ so he’s taking the morning off,� co-host Kelly Ripa explained while sitting beside her husband, actor Mark Consuelos, who filled in for Seacrest.

In response to mounting concern from fans, a representative for Seacrest told People, “Ryan did not have any kind of stroke last night.�

“Like many people right now, Ryan is adjusting to the new normal and finding work-home balance, with the added stress of having to put on live shows from home,� the statement continued.

“Between Live with Kelly and Ryan, American Idol, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, and the Disney Family Singalong specials, he has been juggling three to four on-air jobs over the last few weeks and he’s in need of rest. So today he took a well-deserved day off.�

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Seacrest was back on his game when the time came to crown Sunday’s winner, Samantha “Just Sam� Diaz, a 21-year-old New York subway singer from Harlem who couldn’t stop screaming after her name was announced.

“Thank you so much, America,� she said, video-chatting her grandmother from home. “I would have never ever, ever expected this. Thank you, thank you, thank you for voting for me.�

“Sam, congratulations,� Seacrest said, clapping. “Yeah, you did it!�