Ryan's interest in broadcasting began when he was chosen to recite the Pledge of Allegiance over his high school's PA system. His professional career began when he applied for an internship at one of Atlanta's top radio stations, WSTR/Star 94, at the age of 16. Initially he was turned down, but Ryan submitted an impressive demo tape to the station's program director. Ryan was then, offered the job as an on-air personality and eventually was given the 7 p.m. to Midnight shift. The show became one of the highest rated for the station and, all along, Ryan kept up his school work and even made time to play on his high school football team.
He continued at Star 94 throughout high school, and while attending the University of Georgia. During his freshman year in college, Ryan was offered his first television show hosting the daily sports game show "Radical Outdoor Challenge" for ESPN, which he did during the weekends while still attending college. In 1995, Ryan moved to LA to further his radio career as the afternoon drive time DJ on the local radio station, Star 98.7, and to pursue additional opportunities in the entertainment industry.
Those opportunities included hosting: "Gladiators 2000", "Wild Animal Games", "Total Rush", "Click", The E! Red carpet premiere of "Tomorrow Never Dies", "Talk Soup", "The New Edge", and "NBC's Saturday Night Movie." He is currently hosting CNN's, "Ultimate Revenge" and of course, he had a stint as the co-host of "American Idol: 1" on FOX (the other host of the program was Brian Dunkleman). He is currently carrying out the hosting duties for "American idol: 2", solo. Judges, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell have also returned for the second season, along with newest correspondent, former "American Idol: 1" contestant, Kristin Holt.
He's also made guest appearances on "Leeza", "Melrose Place", and "The Dating Game". Ryan is very busy as he is still a DJ for Star 98.7, but when he's not, he enjoys running and working out. Although he eats out almost every night, he loves to cook and if his career ever fails, Ryan may go to culinary school! However, his career seems to be going in the opposite direction of failure, in fact, he placed #20 on the E! "20 Under 30" celebrity success list and was named one of Los Angeles magazine's sexiest things in the city! With his successful broadcasting career, it's no wonder why E! Online named Ryan as one of the 20 "Young Guns Under 30 Who Hold Hollywood's Future in Their Hands."
|
