<p>Actor Ian Ziering is known best for his role as <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/beverly-hills-90210-ian-ziering-tore-the-dressing-rooms-apart-because-of-1-storyline.html/”>Steve Sanders in <em>Beverly Hills, 90210</em></a>, which ran from 1990 to 2000. However, he recently revealed that he could have been involved in a hugely popular <a href=”http://cheatsheet.com/tag/reality-tv”>reality TV</a> series — <em><a href=”http://cheatsheet.com/tag/american-idol”>American Idol</a></em>. Apparently, Ziering turned down the chance to host the show. Here’s why, plus what he’s doing today and more info on <em>American Idol</em>‘s latest season.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-custom-image-1200″><img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” width=”1500″ height=”1050″ src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ian-ziering.jpg?w=1200″ alt=”Ian Ziering poses in a black shirt at Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family at Universal Studios Hollywood” class=”wp-image-3439101″ srcset=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ian-ziering.jpg 1500w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ian-ziering.jpg?w=640&h=448 640w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ian-ziering.jpg?w=768&h=538 768w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ian-ziering.jpg?w=1024&h=717 1024w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ian-ziering.jpg?w=1200&h=840 1200w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ian-ziering.jpg?w=86&h=60 86w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ian-ziering.jpg?w=150&h=105 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px”><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Ian Ziering | Paul Archuleta/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Ian Ziering says he turned down the chance to host ‘American Idol’</h2>
<p>Ziering was one of four regulars to appear in all 10 seasons of <em>90210</em>. He also made a cameo in the 2019 reboot, <em>BH90210</em>. Ziering recently reunited with some of his co-stars — Jason Priestley, Tori Spelling, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/90210s-jennie-garth-remembers-kelly-spun-melrose-place-kelly-didnt-choose-brandon-dylan.html/”>Jennie Garth</a>, and Rebecca Gayheart — at ’90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, where he revealed a secret about his career: the reality hosting gig he almost had.</p>
<p>During a panel hosted by <a href=”https://people.com/tv/ian-ziering-was-asked-consider-hosting-american-idol-but-said-no-90s-con/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>People</a>, Ziering revealed that former Fox casting executive Missy Halperin approached him with a question about a reality TV gig.</p>
<p>“Shortly after [<em>Beverly Hills, 90210</em>] went off the air, Missy Halperin, who we all know [in casting], said, ‘Ian, would you ever consider hosting a reality show?’” he said, as People reported.</p>
<p>Ziering’s response to Halperin? “No, I’m an actor.” </p>
<p>However, what he didn’t know was that the reality TV show in question was <em>American Idol</em>, which became a major success during its first season in 2002. Ziering clarified that Halperin didn’t make a direct offer to host the show, but had he said yes, he would have been considered for the job. Thankfully, he doesn’t seem to regret turning it down.</p>
<p>“I would have been horrible,” Ziering said.</p>
<h2 id=”h-what-is-ian-ziering-doing-now”>What is Ian Ziering doing now?</h2>
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<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-width=”550″ data-dnt=”true”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Just because I miss my buddies. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/beverlyhills90210?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#beverlyhills90210</a> <a href=”https://t.co/MVqgYzIr5c”>pic.twitter.com/MVqgYzIr5c</a></p>— Ian Ziering (@IanZiering) <a href=”https://twitter.com/IanZiering/status/1524045626559717376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>May 10, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
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<p>Those who kept up with Ziering after <em>90210</em> will know that he did dabble in reality TV after all. In 2007, he competed on <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dancing-with-the-stars-cheryl-burke-apologizes-ian-ziering-lost-respect-haunts-day.html/”><em>Dancing With the Stars</em> alongside Cheryl Burke</a> and made it to the semi-finals. He then hosted a series called<em> Your Mama Don’t Dance</em> in 2008, as well as <em>America’s Healthiest Heroes</em> in 2014 and <em>Food Network Challenge</em> in 2019. Ziering also appeared on <em>Celebrity Apprentice</em> and <em>Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition</em>.</p>
<p>Ziering auditioned to become the new host of <em>The Price Is Right</em> in 2007, but the job went to Drew Carey. He joked to People that he’s now waiting for Carey’s retirement so he can take over. Last year, <a href=”https://deadline.com/2022/10/ian-ziering-israeli-reality-series-goalstar-1235151170/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Deadline</a> reported that Ziering would star in an Israeli reality show called <em>GoalStar</em>.</p>
<p>In addition to his reality TV gigs, Ziering is known for <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/why-ian-ziering-created-zombie-tidal-wave-after-sharknado.html/”>starring in the <em>Sharknado</em> films</a>.</p>
<h2>‘American Idol’ is now in its 21st season with Ryan Seacrest as the host</h2>
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<p><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/what-happened-brian-dunkleman-american-idol.html/”>Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman</a> ultimately took on hosting <em>American Idol </em>Season 1. Dunkleman left after the first season, but Seacrest continued as the sole <em>Idol</em> host until Fox ended the series in 2016. Seacrest returned to the hosting gig when <em>Idol </em>was revived on ABC in 2018. He’s been with the singing competition ever since.</p>
<p>Now, <em>American Idol</em> is in its 21st season overall (sixth on ABC). <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/american-idol-ryan-seacrest-judges-show-fun-side-hilarious-new-blooper-reel.html/”>Seacrest joins judges</a> Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan as they search for talent in Nashville, New Orleans, and Las Vegas. </p>
<p>The TV personality recently revealed plans to leave his longtime <em>Live With Kelly and Ryan</em> hosting gig, but he confirmed that he’s not leaving <em>Idol</em> anytime soon. Seacrest told <a href=”https://www.etonline.com/ryan-seacrest-says-hes-still-happy-hosting-american-idol-while-judges-share-craziest-auditions” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Entertainment Tonight</a> that he’s still happy hosting <em>Idol</em>.</p>
<p>New episodes of <em>American Idol </em>Season 21 air on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Next-day streaming is also available on Hulu.</p>