Ryan Seacrest Dating Supermodel As Media Mogul Reveals How He Used His Midas Touch On Kardashians [Video]

At 40, Ryan Seacrest has a long history of dating models and actresses. The media mogul began dating 23-year-old supermodel Shayna Taylor after he ended his two-year relationship with actress and Dancing with the Stars pro Julianne Hough. Now he’s replacing Shayna with another supermodel, Renée Hall, reported People.

The “meet cute” moment came during a belated birthday celebration for Seacrest. Although born on December 24, Ryan celebrated in Napa recently with Kim Kardashian, Keith Urban, and Nicole Kidman. And it was at that turning-40 bash that a friend introduced him to Renée.

Hall is more than a supermodel – she’s the proud mom of an 8-year-old boy, as the Inquisitr reported. That means if the relationship lasts, Seacrest will need to make time for hosting American Idol, working as the executive producer on the Kardashian family shows, hosting his own syndicated radio show, and, oh yes, becoming a super stepdad.

But if there’s anything that Seacrest has learned during his decades in the media industry, it’s how to wear various hats with distinction, reported Haute Living.

And it all began in high school, when Ryan won “Best Dressed.”

“I actually won ‘best dressed’ by wearing Bugle Boy jeans,” revealed the dapper dude. “It was the look back then. Bugle Boy pants and rayon shirts somehow got me that award.”

But after six Emmy Award nominations, Seacrest isn’t stressed about putting on the big boy pants to succeed in the competitive entertainment industry. And out of all his successes, it’s the creation of what the world now knows as the Kardashian family that has given him the greatest fame, he admits.

Created through Ryan Seacrest Productions, the Kardashians show took its inspiration from the Osbournes.

“I loved watching The Osbournes, which was really the first show of this [reality] genre,” confesses Ryan now.

“I started thinking about what another show could be like or who another show could be about, which is how [The Kardashians] started. We went to some casting directors in L.A. and said, ‘We’re interested in meeting families who want to be on a series or are interested in being in the world of television. The Kardashians were interested.”

And it began very simply, says Seacrest.

“I said to a guy in my office, ‘Why don’t you buy a video camera and go out to their house on a Sunday when they’re having a family barbeque, shoot it, and then we’ll watch it and see what we think.’ I remember perfectly: he called me from their house Sunday afternoon and said, ‘It’s absolutely golden; you’re going to die when you see this tape. They’re so funny, they’re so fun, there is so much love in this family and they’re so chaotic—they throw each other in the pool!'”

Ryan watched the rough cut and was instantly in. He took the video to E! Network and pitched his vision.

“And that was the beginning,” Seacrest reminisces.

However, Ryan is quick to give credit to momager Kris Jenner.

“I admire Kris, because she has done an amazing job at taking what was just a television show and building it into a massive empire for the family,” he praised.

Most recently, Jenner signed a $100 million contract for four more years of the Kardashians, as the Inquisitr reported.

Included are four seasons of Keeping Up With the Kardashians and spinoffs, such as Kourtney and Khloé Take the Hamptons. And it all began with a sunny afternoon, a pool party, and a video camera.

What do you think? Did Ryan Seacrest strike gold with the Kardashians, or has the family become overexposed? Post your comments below.

[Image Via American Idol]