American Idol judge Luke Bryan recently gave an update on his fellow judge Lionel Richie’s health after the music legend underwent a heart procedure. Bryan said he spoke to Richie, and he’s “doing well.”
Luke Bryan Gives Update on Lionel Richie
Last month, it was reported that Lionel Richie had undergone a routine heart procedure for Atrial fibrillation (AFib). His rep said that the 77-year-old singer was “doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”
Not long afterward, it was confirmed that Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood will all be returning to the judges’ table for Season 25 of American Idol, to premiere next year. Richie appeared virtually as the judges made the announcement at Bryan’s recent concert.
“He’s doing well. I talked to him,” Bryan recently toldGood Morning America of Richie’s health. “I didn’t want to call him and bug him, [but] I called him, said, ‘I love you.’ And then he called me back. He was like, ‘Man, I’m just telling you I’m alright.’ So it was good for him to call me.”
The country singer added that Richie “works hard” and should “slow down a little bit.” Richie has been hospitalized multiple times this year, as he experienced dizziness while performing his concert tour with Earth, Wind & Fire.
American Idol will return for Season 25 sometime in 2027, although an exact premiere date has yet to be announced. Luke Bryan told GMA that the judges started a “private text chain” when Underwood joined he show in Season 23.
“It’s a fun job,” Bryan said of judging the show. “The kids are fun. They’re chasing their dreams. We’re rooting for them. The show has a lot of heart. And so we’re always excited to announce the upcoming season. So somewhere there’s an American Idol out there that we don’t know about yet. So go audition.”
Are you excited about the new season of American Idol premiering next year on ABC? Let us know in the comments below.
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Jill O'Rourke Jill O’Rourke is a contributor at Talent Recap, writing news stories and recaps for shows like ‘AGT,’ ‘The Voice,’ and ‘American Idol.’ She graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in English and Film Studies, and has been writing about pop culture since 2012, with previous bylines at Crushable and A Plus. Jill spends her free time binge-watching sitcoms and daydreaming about life as a hobbit
