Ryan Seacrest’s new three-year contract with American Idol has been rumored to be $45 million. It has been in the headlines for weeks, but Idol executives have not made a statement denying the rumors… until now. Since Paula Abdul left Idol due to failed pay-increase negotiations, fans have reacted why Seacrest deserved the $45 million and Paula did not. Apparently, the $45 million pay Ryan reportedly will be making is from a new hosting deal he bagged to work other CKX projects, which are not related to Idol.

FOX Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice cleared up the rumor about Secreast getting paid that sum, saying “That’s been written a lot recently. Ryan is still in his old contract on ‘Idol.’”Rice added that although Ryan may have gotten a small raise from his previous fee, the extra money Seacrest is making has nothing to do with Idol. Rice said, “Ryan made a deal with CKX, which encompasses much more than ‘Idol.’ And Ryan is not being paid $15 million a year to be on ‘Idol.’”

When asked about Paula Abdul and the possible replacement for her, Rice said that whoever is chosen to be the next fourth judge, their decision will boil down about the chemistry. He said, “I think that ‘Idol’ without Paula is going to be different. And I think that it’s our job and the producers job to cast that well.”