Heading into the long Memorial Day weekend, Ryan Seacrest took some much-needed downtime to recharge by exploring the scenic trails of Southern California's mountains. The charismatic TV personality shared his "nice weekend" celebrating the holiday when he rejoined the team at Live! With Kelly and Ryan on Tuesday, May 26, just one day after stepping away from the show.
Seacrest Talks About Getting Outside
“I finally managed to get outside a little bit and went for a hike,” the 45-year-old enthusiastically told his cohost, Kelly Ripa, as he recounted his weekend adventure. Amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Ryan was mindful of safety protocols, explaining why he wore protective face gear during his outdoor escapade, which he also captured in an Instagram post.
View this post on InstagramA breath of fresh air…. even from behind a mask. Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
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Why the Mask? Seacrest Explains
“Some people asked me, ‘Why are you wearing a mask?’ Well, we have to,” Ryan clarified. “In L.A. county, wearing masks outside is mandatory … even if you're hiking, jogging, or just taking a stroll.” The American Idol host elaborated to Kelly, 49, about how masks change social interactions, limiting the "smile contact" that usually brightens our day.
Ryan admitted he found himself smiling behind his mask during the hike, but it was a bittersweet experience. "I couldn't tell if others were smiling back," he said. "It’s a strange feeling, you know? You miss that connection, that little nod or smile when you pass someone on the trail."
Narrow Trails Bring Unique Challenges
“In some areas where the trails were narrow, you’d have to stop and wait for families to pass by,” Ryan noted. “What I really miss is the smile that you give and get when you pass somebody. It seems like they’re not smiling back because of the mask, but maybe they are. You just can’t see it.”
Ryan returned to the show in high spirits, gushing about his refreshing weekend adventure. This was reassuring to fans who were concerned when he skipped Live! for the first time this month on May 18, just a day after hosting the season finale of American Idol.
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After fans noticed Ryan’s absence, his representative quickly assured everyone that he was fine. “Like many people right now, Ryan is adjusting to the new normal and finding a work-life balance, with the added stress of putting on live shows from home,” the spokesperson explained to People at the time.
“Between Live! With Kelly and Ryan, American Idol, ‘On Air with Ryan Seacrest,’ and the Disney Family Singalong specials, he’s been juggling three to four on-air jobs over the last few weeks and he’s in need of rest,” the rep added. “So today he took a well-deserved day off.”
Upon his return to the talk show on May 19, Ryan offered an explanation. “I’m doing well, thank you. I want to thank Mark [Consuelos] for filling in yesterday,” he said. “He’s so good at it! Also, all the very kind well-wishes for my exhaustion, working around the clock.”
As much as we miss Ryan when he’s off, we hope he takes all the time he needs to recharge and stay healthy!
Given the constantly evolving nature of the pandemic, Closer Weekly wants our readers to have access to the most accurate resources. For the most up-to-date information on coronavirus, consult the CDC, WHO, and information from local public health officials. If you’re experiencing symptoms, call your primary care provider for medical advice.
