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Cape Town - In the latest case of sexual misconduct to rock Tinseltown, Ryan Seacrest has denied claims that he groped and “rubbed himself against” his former stylist.
Suzie Hardy, who used to work as the star’s personal stylist for E! News from 2006 – 2013, claimed he used to grope her and once threw her onto a hotel bed when she was helping him get ready for the 2009 Oscars.
She claims Ryan (43) rubbed himself against her in his underwear and wouldn’t stop until her co-worker shouted at him.
The stylist told Variety that Ryan once slapped her bottom so hard in 2009 that she ended up with a red welt. She also says he once shoved her head in his crotch, would ask her to nap with him and was always trying to get her to date him, often hugging her in his underwear.
She claims he also used to ask her about her boyfriend, saying things such as ‘Have you f****d him yet?’
Ryan has vehemently denied Suzie’s accusations, People reports. “Recently, someone that worked as a wardrobe stylist for me nearly a decade ago came forward with a complaint suggesting I behaved inappropriately toward her,” he said in a statement. “If I made her feel anything but respected, I am truly sorry.
“Throughout my 25 years in the entertainment industry, the majority of my co-workers have been women, and I’ve endeavoured to foster a positive work environment of mutual respect and courtesy, as that’s how I believe it should be.”
E! News subsequently ordered an investigation into her claims.
In a statement to US Weekly Ryan’s attorney said, “On January 31st the network notified us that their independent third-party investigation had concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support her claims, effectively, clearing my client’s name. It’s telling that after my client refused to pay her money, and the E! investigation resulted as it did, that she is now coming forward to share her debunked story with the press.”
The former stylist says that she stayed in the job because she’s a single mom and that she thought if she complained or went to human resources she’d be fired.
In 2013, E! News asked to meet with her to assess her relationship with Ryan. She told them about his alleged behaviour, and two weeks later, she lost her job.
E! said its investigation found “insufficient evidence to support the claims against Seacrest.”
“E!’s investigation was extremely comprehensive and thorough,” they said in a statement. “Over the course of a two month process, our outside counsel interviewed more than two dozen people regarding the allegations, including multiple separate meetings with the claimant.
“The investigator is an attorney with nearly 20 years’ experience and is highly regarded professionally. Any claims that question the legitimacy of this investigation are completely baseless.”
