American Idol judge Lionel Richie was recently spotted for the first time since undergoing a heart procedure last month. The 77-year-old singer is currently filming Season 25 of the singing competition show with fellow judges Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.
Lionel Richie Spotted on American Idol Set
The three American Idol judges, including Lionel Richie, were spotted in Savannah, Georgia, on Wednesday. A social media video shows the stars standing together on a sidewalk with a film crew nearby. It was announced earlier this year that the show’s production would be moving out of California and into Georgia.
In another video posted on Instagram, Luke Bryan can be seen climbing into a semi-truck with a camera crew following him. After honking the truck’s horn, Bryan can be heard joking, “How’s the insurance on this thing?” After moving the truck forward slightly, he asks, “I got you nervous?”
Lionel Richie has faced health issues this year, as he’s had to cancel shows and has been admitted to the hospital multiple times. Last month, he underwent a procedure for Atrial fibrillation (AFib). A recent report claimed that the show was looking for a possible replacement for Richie in case he wasn’t able to film Season 25.
However, it looks like the music legend is well enough to participate in the new competition, which is expected to premiere on ABC next year. Host Ryan Seacrest was also spotted filming in Savannah earlier this week.
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This Will Be a Milestone Season
The upcoming new season of American Idol will mark a milestone for the show, as it’s been 25 years since the first season premiered in 2002. Judge Luke Bryan recently predicted that the show will look back on past seasons to celebrate the anniversary.
“I expect there will be a lot of nostalgic moments, and I’ll get to see how I’ve aged over the last ten years,” Bryan joked. He and Lionel Richie first joined the show’s panel in 2018, along with former judge Katy Perry.
A premiere date has not yet been announced for Season 25 of American Idol, although recent seasons have premiered early in the year. Season 24 debuted in late January, which was earlier than usual.
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