Seacrest Defends "Idol" Contestant

Calls Anonymous Poster Of Racy Pictures "Tacky"

(CBS/AP)  "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest is like a big brother to the show's contestants, cheering them on, offering a hug when things don't go their way, and even running interference when they receive a blistering critique from cranky judge Simon Cowell.

So, it's no surprise that Seacrest is particularly annoyed at the unknown person who posted racy pictures of contestant Antonella Barba on the Internet.

"I do feel like it's a little disgusting — I think the right word is 'tacky' — for someone to do that," Seacrest told The Showbuzz. "These things, they were taken at a time that (was) a private moment. It was something between her and somebody close to her. It was meant for them and not for us. And it's someone trying to take advantage of someone else, and this contestant is trying to make it in a mainstream show and do her thing."

The pictures include one of four women posing topless at the beach, their hands covering their breasts, and others of a woman engaged in a sexual act.

2Barba's best friend, Amanda Coluccio of Holmdel, with whom she auditioned and won a trip to Hollywood for the second round before being eliminated, told The Star-Ledger of Newark that the less graphic photos are of Barba, but denied her friend is pictured in the pornographic ones.

Seacrest said that he's got a bit thicker skin when it comes to personal attacks on his co-workers, like the recent rumors that "Idol" judge Paula Abdul had possibly enjoyed a few too many drinks before a satellite interview.

"I've known this group of people for six years at least, and anytime somebody's saying something bad about somebody you know pretty well, and you know it's not true, it bothers you and it might get under your skin a little bit," he said.

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Photos: "American Idol" Season Six
Photos: Jennifer Hudson
Photos: "American Idol" Finale

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"On the other hand we all decided to work in this business and we can't let it get under our skin. We have to let things roll off our shoulders. (Paula's) a friend of mine and I've never seen her drunk. I really haven't. But, I guess we're used to people talking about us and try not to take anything to heart or too seriously."

Despite the camaraderie among the stars, there are some tense moments during the show, especially when Seacrest and Cowell start bickering. Is it for real?

"It's so real in that moment," he said. "(Simon) and I are very competitive individuals. He does not like anybody to get the last word other than him. I don't know what he's going to say to me and sometimes I can't understand what the heck he's saying because things get lost in the translation. And frankly, at times it's perfect and at times it's uncomfortable and it's awkward but that is the nature of the beast on that show. We don't lose sleep over it."

Seacrest points out that Cowell has been a supportive friend, though. Cowell was at the launch party Tuesday for "Paradise City," the new reality show Seacrest is producing for E! about the lives of aspiring entertainers in Las Vegas.

"That doesn't mean that we're not going to argue tonight or argue tomorrow night," Seacrest added.

In addition to producing "Paradise City" and hosting "American Idol," Seacrest is E! News' managing editor and lead anchor, host of the KIIS-FM morning radio show in Los Angeles and host of the syndicated weekly radio countdown show "American Top 40."

Seacrest says there's no secret to finding enough time to do all that work.

"I literally fill every hour of every day and for the last 8 weeks every weekend day with doing one of these jobs," he said. "If you work this number of hours then you too could get this done. It's not brain surgery. I'm afforded this great opportunity on fantastic shows. I feel like I have to do it, so why not?"