NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Children’s Hospital New Orleans is getting some big help from “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest, who’s bringing “Seacrest Studios” to help the young patients.
Seacrest, along with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, is thrilled to bring “Seacrest Studios” to New Orleans. This will be the 15th location for “Seacrest Studios.” There are currently 14 other Seacrest Studios across the country including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, Orange County, Orlando, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Memphis, Queens and Salt Lake City.
The 1,200 square foot broadcast media center will be party of “Walker’s Imaginarium,” a child enrichment center at Children’s Hospital New Orleans that will be built to honor a Children’s Hospital patient, 9-year-old Walker Berry. Berry’s family, along with former CEO of Children’s Hospital John Nickens, and Kids Join the Fight was instrumental in getting “Walker’s Imaginarium” built.
“It will include state-of-the-art equipment for patients to explore what I got at my radio station,” Seacrest said.
The studio will be located on the ground level and main exhibit floor of “Walker’s Imaginarium,” which will include two floors of interactive, kid-friendly exhibits, creating a therapeutic space for patients and families to thrive and find joy while spending time together in the hospital.
“Walker’s Imaginarium” will tie directly into the main concourse and inpatient tower at Children’s Hospital New Orleans, as a natural bookend to the campus. The project will break ground late this year and will open in early 2026.
The Ryan Seacrest Foundation aims to contribute positively to the healing process for children and their families during their stay, as well as uplift spirits of the clinical and administrative staff at Children’s Hospital New Orleans.
“We quickly fell in love with the vision of Children’s Hospital New Orleans and Kids Join The Fight to redefine the patient and family experience through Walker’s Imaginarium,” said Seacrest. “New Orleans is one of the best culture and music cities in the country, and I cannot think of a better place to bring joy to patients through our foundation.”
“We are humbled and could not be more excited to be partnering with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation to bring a Seacrest Studio to our campus,” said Lucio A. Fragoso, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital New Orleans. “We believe that part of our job in running a children’s hospital is creating an environment where kids can just be kids, while receiving care. That is exactly what the Ryan Seacrest Foundation helps do, and we cannot wait to deliver countless moments of joy together.”
Seacrest Studios promises to be an educational and entertaining way for patients like 7-year-old Elijah Matherne to feel like a care-free kid.
“He’s going to love it, especially when he’s going through tough times because he loves music and dancing,” his mother, Lisa Matherne said.
His mom just wants to see her son be happy.
“I think it’ll ease the pain. It really shows that Ryan is loving, supportive, and a kind person,” Matherne said.
“The healing power of music is part of what we do,” Fragoso said.
“Seacrest Studios” will make its debut in early 2026.
“American Idol” airs on Sunday and Monday nights on WGNO-TV.
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