Ryan Seacrest is stepping into a brand-new chapter — and this time, it has nothing to do with a television studio, a judging panel or a glittering game show wheel.
The 49-year-old entertainment powerhouse, best known for hosting American Idol and preparing to take over Wheel of Fortune, has announced a touching new career move outside the TV industry. Ryan is releasing his first children’s book, The Make-Believers, alongside his sister Meredith Seacrest Leach — marking the first time the siblings have collaborated on a project of this kind.
And for Ryan, this is not just another celebrity side hustle.
It is personal. ❤️
The book, set to be published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, is inspired by Ryan and Meredith’s own childhood growing up just outside Atlanta. Long before red carpets, live broadcasts and Hollywood success, the Seacrest siblings were simply two children using imagination to dream beyond the world around them.
That spirit of childhood wonder now sits at the heart of The Make-Believers.
Ryan and Meredith said they were “so excited” to release their first children’s book into the world, explaining that the story was born from the games they used to play together when they were young. Make-believe, they said, was not just fun — it was a way to bond, dream and imagine a life bigger than their everyday surroundings.
For fans who know Ryan as one of the busiest men in television, the project offers a softer, more emotional glimpse into the person behind the polished presenter. 📺✨
Ryan has built an extraordinary career by being everywhere at once. From American Idol to radio, red carpets and major entertainment events, he has become one of America’s most familiar voices and faces. Now, with Wheel of Fortune waiting in the wings, many might expect him to be focused only on the next huge TV milestone.
Instead, he is turning back to childhood.
Back to family.
Back to the dreams that shaped him before fame ever arrived.
The Make-Believers is described as a celebration of imagination and the importance of sharing dreams with the people you love. Illustrated by Bonnie Lui, whose work spans books, games and television, the book aims to encourage children to believe in the power of their own ideas.
Ryan and Meredith explained that as children, they often wondered what life looked like beyond their own surroundings. Through imagination, they could travel anywhere, become anyone and dream of extraordinary futures — the kind they saw in films, television, magazines and books.
Those early dreams clearly left a lasting mark. 🌟
For Ryan, imagination became ambition. For Meredith, it became purpose. Together, they have already worked closely through the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which the family launched in 2009. Meredith serves as the foundation’s executive director and COO, helping lead its mission to inspire children through media and creative experiences.
That work has given both siblings a deep understanding of how powerful storytelling can be for young people. Through their foundation, they regularly interact with children and see first-hand how reading, creativity and imagination can open emotional doors.
That is why this book feels like a natural extension of their family mission.
“We want to help kids realize their dreams and believe in a world that is entirely their own,” they said.
It is a simple message, but a powerful one. 💫
At a time when many children are growing up surrounded by screens, pressure and noise, The Make-Believers appears to offer something timeless: permission to dream. Permission to create. Permission to look at an ordinary room, garden or street and imagine it as something magical.
For Ryan, the timing makes the announcement even more striking.
The book comes as he prepares for one of the biggest transitions of his career — taking over Wheel of Fortune after longtime host Pat Sajak announced his retirement. It is a major responsibility, stepping into a role beloved by generations of viewers.
Ryan also left Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years, moving his focus back to American Idol and his West Coast commitments. His schedule is already packed, but the children’s book proves he is still finding space for projects that speak to his heart.
And perhaps that is what makes this move so meaningful.
Ryan Seacrest has spent decades helping others chase fame, win prizes, perform songs and live unforgettable moments on screen. But with The Make-Believers, he is sending a message to children before the spotlight ever arrives:
Dream first.
Believe first.
Imagine first.
The rest can follow. 📚❤️
