In 2016, Dunkleman, who left Idol after co-hosting for one season, made a surprise appearance during the American Idol series finale. Brian Dunkleman hit back on social media following a TMZ report that appeared to job-shame him for working as an Uber driver. It just couldn’t have been better. Kalea Dunkleman is the son-to-be exwife of former TV host turned Uber driver, Brian Dunkleman. The actor said he started the job in March 2016, works about 45 hours a week, making about $800 a week, according to the documents. Seacrest went on to TV stardom. After TMZ reported on the television personality’s divorce proceedings that revealed he was making a living as an Uber driver, Dunkleman, who is best known for co-hosting Idol alongside Ryan Seacrest during its first season in 2002, fired back on Twitter Thursday. Dunkleman revealed the emotional reason why he gave up showbiz and became an Uber driver. The upcoming season of American Idol premieres March 3 on ABC. Dunkleman was in the headlines earlier this year amid reports he was driving for Uber, and took to Twitter January 3 to explain how the gig made sense given his life circumstances. Brian Dunkleman‘s girlfriend, Andrea Whitney, is coming to his defense after the onetime American Idol co-host was shamed for working as an Uber driver. Court documents showed the former showbiz personality has been working for the ride-hailing company since 2016, earning $800 a week, according to the entertainment site. So it’s kind of a big load off my shoulders. In 2002 Idol introduced the world to two talented hosts but only one of them would make their mark in the entertainment world. Former American Idol host Brian Dunkleman clapped back at haters for driving an Uber when reports of his then-current occupation surfaced. who was photographed working at Trader Joe’s. Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter. I like to say I was just young and stupid, but I really wasn’t that young. Dunkleman admitted he was very “bitter” after choosing to leave the reality singing competition after the first season. Brian Dunkleman's Big American Idol Comeback Was Just Perfect "I chose to stop doing standup comedy and started driving an Uber so I could be … In the same article, the outlet also reported he began his full-time Uber … If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Dunkleman, 47, a fixture on the talent show’s first season more than 16 years ago, spoke out after a TMZ article … “And I make over a grand on a good week motherf—ers. Text us for exclusive photos and videos, royal news, and way more. Brian Dunkleman, the former American Idol co-host, is an Uber driver and he will not be job-shamed for providing for his family. Brian Dunkleman had the best job on the planet when he co-hosted American Idol season 1 with Ryan Seacrest back in the summer of 2002. It’s been a very, very cathartic evening for me.”. In 2002, Brian Dunkleman hosted American Idol’s first season alongside Ryan Seacrest. This is why he’s an Uber driver.Fuck you @TMZ #ImInLoveWithAnUberDriver@briandunkleman pic.twitter.com/EY02CNPLlw, This is what an Uber driver’s girlfriend looks like. He has fallen on hard times. Reps for Dunkleman did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. Amid a divorce and custody battle, former "American Idol" co-host Brian Dunkleman defended now being an Uber driver after TMZ published some of his financial information and job status. American Idol host Brian Dunkleman is now working as an Uber driver 17 years after he left the show. RELATED: Geoffrey Owens Has Been Back to Trader Joe’s Since Job-Shaming Controversy: ‘They’re Great People’. I guess I didn’t make a mistake.”. “I didn’t do a good enough job and I don’t think I handled myself as professionally as I needed to back then,” he said. He is best known as being co-host with Ryan Seacrest on the first season of American Idol, in 2002. Now, he is an Uber driver — and he insists he’s NOT ashamed. He could have had a career if he had just agreed to change his name to "Brian Prescott" or "Brian Marshall" or "Brian Bonneville" or "Brian Everett-Hughes." Dunkleman’s re-emergence in the news for having a regular job recalls the job-shaming of Geoffrey Owens, the former “Cosby Show” actor who was photographed working at Trader Joe’s last year. Dunkleman is currently in the middle of a divorce with wife, Kalea Dunkleman. Brian Dunkleman, who used to co-host "American Idol" alongside Ryan Seacrest, is now an Uber driver, and he has a message for anyone who has a problem with that. — Brian Dunkleman (@briandunkleman) January 5, 2019 TMZ has yet to respond to Dunkleman’s tweets. Brian Dunkleman was the co-host of "American Idol" for its premiere season back in 2002. Brian Dunkleman: Actor. Fuck you @TMZ #ImInLoveWithAnUberDriver@briandunkleman pic.twitter.com/nnchL9eySP. Since then things have taken quite a turn, keep reading to find out. “But it lasted such a short time before the flood of support, the love rolled in. We made it easy for you to exercise your right to vote! Dunkleman, 47, a fixture on the talent show’s first season more than 16 years ago, spoke out after a TMZ article reported details of his divorce and custody battle. Brian Dunkleman once worked alongside Ryan Seacrest as co-host of a little TV talent competition called American Idol.Seventeen years later, in documents submitted in his divorce from his ex-wife Kalea Dunkleman, the former Fox star has revealed he works as an Uber driver. (Dunkleman told People in 2016 that while he chose to depart, he heard that he wouldn’t be asked back for Season 2.). He later pursued stand-up comedy and … Home Video Resume Contact Brian began doing stand up comedy in 1992, winning the title of Buffalo’s Funniest New Comedian. “I chose to stop doing standup comedy and started driving an Uber so I could be there for my son as much as he needed after our life as we knew it was destroyed. Producers have hinted that he was pushed out of his job. Brian Dunkleman was a host in 'American Idol' in 2002 when the show premiered. Former “American Idol” co-host Brian Dunkleman on Thursday defended his job as an Uber driver, saying the work lets him “be there” for his son. The 47-year-old TV personality, best known for co-hosting American Idol alongside Ryan Seacrest in its smash hit 2002 debut season, will hit the road as an announcer on the Family Feud Live: Celebrity Edition tour. Brian Dunkleman Fiercely Defends Uber Driving Gig After TMZ Report. On Thursday, Whitney tweeted a photo of Dunkleman and his 5-year-old son Jackson sitting on a hilltop overlooking Los Angeles. Brian Dunkleman has a new gig in show business. Comedian. @TMZ @HarveyLevinTMZ, And I make over a grand on a good week motherfuckers. Now, 16 years later TMZ reported that his main occupation is driving rideshares for Uber. You'll get the latest updates on this topic in your browser notifications. “I definitely was hoping that they would ask and they contacted me about a month and a half ago,” Dunkleman previously told PEOPLE. Coyote Ugly Turns 20: Where Is the Cast Now? Brian Dunkleman has been struggling ever since he walked away from a lucrative job as co-host of American Idol, now working full-time as an Uber driver. Following the TMZ article published on January 3, Dunkleman tweeted two responses, tagging TMZ and the site's founder Harvey Levin each time. Kalea’s husband Brian Dunkleman, is an actor and comedian best known for co-hosting season 1 of American Idol, next to Ryan Seacrest. Former "American Idol" co-host Brian Dunkleman hit back on social media following a TMZ report that appeared to job-shame him for working as an Uber driver. Today is National Voter Registration Day! Former “American Idol” co-host Brian Dunkleman on Thursday defended his job as an Uber driver, saying the work lets him “be there” for his son. The actor — who was proudly wearing his Trader Joe’s name tag in the photos — said he was “really devastated” at first — until celebrities and fans alike jumped to his defense on social media. Brian Dunkleman, who cohosted the first season of American Idol alongside Ryan Seacrest, is firing back after his job as an Uber driver made headlines. The self-described "television history footnote" vented after a TMZ report about his regular job. Brian Dunkleman's Girlfriend Defends Him After Job-Shaming: 'This Is Why He's an Uber Driver' Andrea Whitney tweeted a photo of the former American Idol co-host and his son By Christina Dugan #HumanBarnacles,” Dunkleman added in a separate tweet. Get push notifications with news, features and more. According to financial documents obtained by TMZ, Dunkleman disclosed his occupation as “Uber driver.”. Host. According to documents in Dunkleman's divorce from estranged wife Kalea Dunkleman, obtained by TMZ, the former American Idol host listed his occupation as "Uber driver." Former American Idol host Brian Dunkleman is firing back after it was revealed he now works as an Uber driver.. Brian Dunkleman (Former Idol Host) Is Now UBER Driver. Hours after reports broke the news that the former comedian was driving passengers around town, he took to Twitter to explain himself while at the same time slamming haters. Fans defend former 'American Idol' host Brian Dunkleman for driving an Uber to make a living and spend quality time with his son. Available until 11/06/21 Appearing: Dunkleman says he has $2,000 in his checking account, says he pays $1,500 in rent per month and has expenses totalling $1,605. Part of HuffPost Entertainment. In the documents, Dunkleman lists his occupation as "Uber driver," and claims an income of roughly $800 a week, having started the job back in March of 2016. “Print that.”, He posted an angrier tweet a few minutes later, declaring that he makes more than $1,000 “on a good week.”, I chose to stop doing standup comedy and started driving an Uber so I could be there for my son as much as he needed after our life as we knew it was destroyed.Print that. Owens, who worked at the grocery store for 15 months, said he first took the job because he wanted “flexibility” in order to stay in the entertainment business. “I left the show but from what I gather, they weren’t going to have me back anyway. “I think I beat them to the punch and I didn’t know,” Dunkleman said of leaving. Print that,” he tweeted, referring to his contentious divorce and ongoing custody battle with his estranged wife. “The initial thing was bad — the shaming,” he later told PEOPLE. “In retrospect, I really just didn’t have the wisdom I needed to handle what was going on. Kalea Dunkleman. 'American Idol' Co-Host Brian Dunkleman Is An Uber Driver, And It's OK Music Introducing ... PEOPLE's Products Worth the Hype. Brian Dunkleman (born September 25, 1971) is an American comedian, actor, and television personality. His 5-year-old son, Jackson, lives with him half the week. “I actually wrote pretty much all that is said [on camera] tonight except for the opening line, which was written by their brilliant writer. Dunkleman is not the only former television star to be job-shamed after leaving Hollywood. @TMZ @HarveyLevinTMZ #HumanBarnacles, Dunkleman, who refers to himself as a “television history footnote” on his Twitter account, co-hosted the first season of “American Idol” in 2002 with Ryan Seacrest. I don’t even remember what it felt like that day to feel bad, but I know what it’s felt like for the last two months to be offered work, to be offered auditions, to be approached on the street and told how much my story inspires people.”. Former Cosby Show actor Geoffrey Owens was also recently job-shamed when photos surfaced of him bagging groceries at a Trader Joe’s in New Jersey. Brian Dunkleman, the former co-host of “American Idol”, is currently an Uber driver. Though he claimed he was he was never told why he wasn’t going to be asked to continue his hosting duties, he accepted responsibility. Brian Dunkleman is firing back after reports surfaced this week about his current occupation. Offsite Link. by Anonymous: reply 80: 01/06/2019: I always liked him. In any case, Brian Dunkleman's expenses reportedly total to $1,605 in a given month, with $1,500 in rent. Dunkleman says he quit the show after the first season because he felt the tone of the show was too cruel. Brian Dunkleman: Yeah, I came in really late in the process, and apparently they had seen 3,000 people. “I chose to stop doing standup comedy and started driving an Uber so I could be there for my son as much as he needed after our life as we knew it was destroyed,” Dunkleman wrote. I was 30 years old.”. Career American Idol. Engineer Creates App To Translate Your Cat, Find out what your cat is trying to tell you with a new cat app, The Sweetest Photos of Princes Harry with Diana, Princess Diana died when Harry was just 12 years old, Sean Connery's Cause of Death Revealed Weeks After He Dies at Age 90. Dunkleman’s girlfriend also chimed in on TMZ’s Uber report, and lobbed a few F-bombs at the entertainment site. Brian Dunkleman hit back on social media following a … (He’s been acting, teaching and directing for over 30 years.). Dunkleman left the show and sank into relative obscurity. Former 'American Idol' co-host Brian Dunkleman is not ashamed of being an Uber driver now, thank you very much. ©2021 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Former American Idol Co-Host Brian Dunkleman Fires Back After Being Shamed for Being an Uber Driver this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Tap here to turn on desktop notifications to get the news sent straight to you. 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