Ryan Seacrest Taking His ‘Idolatry’ of Carrie Underwood ‘to a Crazy Level’ Infuriating Other Judges

Ryan Seacrest is in awe of his personal American Idol Carrie Underwood and thrilled to have her on board, but he’s making such a fuss over the show’s newest celebrity judge it’s got other people around them, especially her cojudges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie , wishing he’d relax a bit, a source exclusively tells Life & Style .

“Everyone’s glad Carrie’s joined the panel,” the insider says. “She’s not only a huge talent who contributes so much to the show but she’s a sweetheart to boot, but Ryan’s taking his idolatry to a crazy level.”

Ryan, 49, who has hosted the iconic show for its entire 23 season run to date, has seen a dozen judges come and go, but the source says the veteran T.V. presenter has a special place for the series’ newest gatekeeper, Carrie, 41.

“She’s quite nervous and wants to do her best job and Ryan’s appointed himself Carrie’s guiding light. She’s his favorite, he gives her most if not all his attention, when she speaks, he’s all ears,” the source says.

“The guys are pretty spellbound by Carrie, too, and they don’t blame her a bit, but Ryan’s obvious preferential treatment of her has their noses out of joint and they’re getting really mad at him.”

“It’s almost like Luke and Lionel are not as important as they used to be.”

As the insider mentions, it’s not just the new Wheel of Fortune host that’s lost his senses around the country icon.

A second source previously dished to Life & Style that Lionel, 75, has been “crushing on her big time” and is “looking forward to getting to know her.”

In fact, the “Stuck on You” singer thinks Carrie “is the best thing that’s happened to Idol in a long time.”

The “Before He Cheats” singer will replace pop icon Katy Perry as she wraps up her seven-year tenure on the program to dive head first into her comeback with newest album, 143.

The series, which began its run in 2002 with Ryan as cohost alongside Brian Dunkleman , has seen an impressive array of A-list talent filling the judges’ panel. Luke Bryan, 48, and Lionel have been judging contestants along with Katy, 39, since the three began as a trio in 2018 for the show’s 16th season.

The television staple had rocketed to incredible popularity with its original panel, made up of Paula Abdul , the sweetheart who always let contestants down easy, straight-shooter Randy Jackson , and series cocreator Simon Cowell , who earned a reputation for himself in American households as excessively blunt and sometimes even cruel.

The series stumbled a bit after season 8 in 2009, trying to find sure footing with a new cast of judges that could bring an exciting, watchable dynamic. Though, showrunners weren’t always successful. A series of single-season judges that didn’t quite work out made appearances throughout the intervening years before Lionel, Katy and Luke joined, including Ellen DeGeneres , Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey .

With a new trio locked in for the upcoming seasons, it’s no wonder Ryan has “determined to make Carrie a success,” according to the first source.