Speed Reads

2018 academy awards

It wasn't a great night on the red carpet for Ryan Seacrest

As he has been for years, Ryan Seacrest was live on E! Sunday, reporting from the Academy Awards, but this time, several notable names skipped interviews with the red carpet veteran.

Last week, his former stylist at E! News, Suzie Hardy, told Variety that Seacrest sexually harassed and abused her for six years; E! said an investigation found "insufficient evidence" of any wrongdoing, and supports Seacrest, who denies the allegations. Several celebrity publicists told Variety ahead of the Academy Awards that their clients would not stop to talk with Seacrest, or would only chat with his co-host Giuliana Rancic.

Multiple A-list stars skipped interviews with Seacrest, including vocal #MeToo activists Mira Sorvino and Ashley Judd, plus Margot Robbie, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Garner, and Viola Davis. Variety was told by several insiders that because Seacrest is back hosting American Idol, now on ABC, the network and Disney pressured its stars to talk to Seacrest, and his first interview of the night was with Disney's Sofia Carson. Seacrest also spent some time talking with Taraji P. Henson, who ended their chat with a pointed message. Catherine Garcia