Luke Bryan unsure if he and Lionel Richie will return to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry may not be the only "American Idol" judge not returning next season.
Country music star Luke Bryan told Billboard he's still waiting to hear if he and Lionel Richie will be back at the judges' table when the ABC singing competition returns for Season 23.
“It’s been interesting,” said Bryan, before making a reference to ABC's parent company. “It’s been something Disney been really tightlipped about with me and Lionel and (host) Ryan (Seacrest).
"We currently haven’t heard what the story is on who’s coming back, and if Lionel and I are coming back," he continued. "I think Disney is just trying to figure out what they want to do and we’re just kind of sitting back and waiting until they decide.”
TODAY.com has reached out to "American Idol" for comment.
Perry announced in February that she would be retiring from the show after the Season 22 finale aired in May.
The "Roar" singer, who had been a judge alongside Bryan and Richie since the series relaunched in 2018 on ABC after 15 seasons on Fox, will be tough to replace, said Bryan.
“Katy was really perfect for that job, and I think they’re just working real hard to find somebody that can really come in and do the job that Katy did," Bryan told Billboard.
Bryan noted that some big-name music talents were being considered for Perry's role.
“I’ve said several names. I think Pink has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks,” he told the publication.
While Pink told “Entertainment Tonight” in May she didn't think she has the right personality for the job, saying, “I don’t like hurting people’s feelings," Trainor has enthusiastically thrown her hat into the ring. Trainor explained for TODAY.com’s original video series “8 Before 8” last month why she'd be a good fit.
"I put my heart and soul into these things. And I love new artists. I love helping them find their place in this industry," she said. "And I know how scary it could be. And I wasn’t brave enough to audition for those shows. So I always remind them, 'No matter what, you win because you showed up.'
"And I would be really nice, but also would help them and I would sing on the show and I would sound great. And I would be best friends with Lionel and Luke."
Earlier this year, Richie revealed his dream of seeing original "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson return to the show as a judge. But the "Kelly Clarkson Show" host told “Entertainment Tonight" last month that she had no plans to join the show.
“No. No. I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids. I was like, ‘I wanna be there as much as I possibly can,’” said Clarkson. “And it would put me in LA, and that’s why I had to quit ‘The Voice,’ which, I love that team. And I miss them so much.”
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
