‘American Idol’ Judge Luke Bryan Compares Lionel Richie to Santa Claus
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American Idol judge Luke Bryan recently joined Ryan Seacrest as a guest co-host on Live with Kelly and Ryan. Bryan talked about his experience on the talent show, and the friendships he’s formed with fellow judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry.
Luke Bryan Talks About Meeting Lionel Richie
Seacrest praised the current panel of judges for having fun while respecting each other and taking the competition seriously. Bryan said it’s been great to “develop the friendships that we have.” He said in the first year they were still figuring out their chemistry together.
“And then to be here now, where anything we say can be an amazingly funny TV moment,” he continued. “I mean, any time you’re clocking 12 hours a day with Katy Perry, I am certainly ready for anything that life can throw me.”
Bryan also called Lionel Richie “the number one human being on planet Earth.” Seacrest agreed, saying he’s “even better in person” than you could imagine before meeting him. Bryan chimed in to say that he’s “not your dream person let-down.”
He said sometimes you meet people you admire, but “they smell a little funny.” He mentioned the movie Elf, and how Santa Claus is supposed to smell “like ginger cookies and gumdrops.” He therefore concluded that meeting Richie is “like meeting Santa Claus.”
SEE ALSO: LUKE BRYAN BELIEVES NOAH THOMPSON’S HUMILITY WON HIM ‘AMERICAN IDOL’
Bryan Will Host the CMAs with Peyton Manning
During his time on Live this week, Luke Bryan also announced that he’ll be hosting the CMA Awards this year with former NFL player Peyton Manning. Bryan hosted the awards show for the first time last year. He said he “dreamed of being on that stage” growing up.
He added that Manning is “a big champion for country music.” Bryan promised that they’ll make fun of each other while hosting the show. The CMAs will air on November 9 on ABC.
It was also recently announced that Bryan, Perry, Richie, and Seacrest will all be back for American Idol Season 21. Fans can sign up now to take part in the virtual auditions for a chance to be featured on the next season of the show.
