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Lionel Richie Returns to 'American Idol' Despite Health Concerns
Confirmed
In Short: Singer Lionel Richie will return as a judge for American Idol's 25th season, despite undergoing a heart procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib) earlier this month.
Singer Lionel Richie will return as a judge for American Idol's 25th season, despite undergoing a heart procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib) earlier this month.
The announcement was made by Luke Bryan during a concert in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday. Richie, 77, will be joined by fellow judges Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host.
Richie's health concerns have prompted him to take some time away from performing before returning to the stage. He has served as a judge since the show's revival on ABC in 2018.
Auditions for the new season are currently underway with the return of Idol Across America, a virtual search for the next Idol that is touring across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
The show was officially renewed for Season 25 in July, with the new season expected to premiere in 2027. This marks the third year that the trio of Bryan, Richie, and Underwood will judge the contestants together.
Richie, a four-time Grammy winner and former member of the Commodores, is known for hits including 'Hello,' 'All Night Long,' and 'Three Times a Lady.' He has also co-written the charity classic 'We Are the World' with Michael Jackson.
The show introduced several changes last season, including social voting for the first time, moving Hollywood Week to Nashville, Tennessee, and premiering on a new night in Monday.
While the judges weren't confirmed at the time of the renewal announcement in July, the trio confirmed their return during Bryan's concert in Nashville.
American Idol might be moving to a new location, but it will have the same judges and host as before. Bryan and Underwood both live in Tennessee, while Richie lives in Los Angeles and Seacrest splits his time between Los Angeles and New York.
What this adds
The news of Richie's return comes days after he underwent a heart procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib) and canceled some tour dates.
Richie is expected to take some time off before returning to the stage, but he is expected to begin a residency in Las Vegas next month.
Background
American Idol is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to April 7, 2016, for 15 seasons.
What's confirmed
- The news was announced by Bryan during a concert in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday.
- Richie, 77, will return alongside Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, while Ryan Seacrest is also set to return as host.
What's still developing
- “Lionel is doing great, but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.” Idol will return to the airwaves for its silver jubilee edition in 2027, although it remains unclear when the season will premiere.
- The future Mrs. Bryan said they were “friends” for two weeks before they began dating.
- At the time, Luke was a senior who had already started his music career.
- Caroline revealed what Luke said that changed everything.
- They stayed in touch and she would still go to see Luke’s shows.
- She left the show upset, but Luke called her at 2 a.m. to ask her why she’d left.
- “We kinda saw each other and talked a little bit and then started emailing back and forth a little bit,” Luke told HuffPost.
- Luke Bryan and his wife, Caroline have been married for more than 15 years and have five children together, three… Luke Bryan and his wife, Caroline have been married for more than 15 years and have five children together, three of which were adopted after a family tragedy.
- During an interview with Bobby Bones on the Bobbycast, Caroline shared how she met Luke, the surprising way that Luke proposed, and her advice for a long-lasting marriage.
- Luke nervously sent over a friend to say hello before he introduced himself.
- However, the big news in Idol -land is the move to Georgia.
- In July, producers at ABC announced that the music competition series had been renewed for a landmark 25th season.