Country music star Luke Bryan has addressed rumors of a feud with fellow "American Idol" judge Lionel Richie, dismissed them as "tabloid rumors," and shed light on the process of finding Katy Perry's replacement.
Country music star Luke Bryan has taken to the stage of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to address rumors of a feud with fellow "American Idol" judge Lionel Richie over the impending departure of Katy Perry from the show. Bryan has dismissed the rumors as "tabloid rumors" and confirmed that he and Richie remain on good terms.
"Yeah, me and Lionel - it's tense on the set," Bryan said sarcastically. "You know Lionel, how combative he is. You saw how awful he was on 'The Greatest Night in Pop,' you know how he just tried to ruin that whole scenario."
Bryan went on to comment on the tabloid reports he had read about the supposed feud. "I read the tabloid," Bryan admitted, "And I'm like, 'Me and Lionel in a feud over Katy's replacement…' You can't feud with Lionel. Lionel's like - I mean he's like apple pie. You know, he's like the most wholesome human. So me and Lionel are good."
Bryan also revealed that he and Richie have no influence in the hiring of a new judge to replace Perry. "Not really, we let the smart people do that," he told Kimmel. "We just show up and judge the talent and have fun."
In February, Perry confirmed during an appearance on Kimmel's show that she would be exiting "American Idol." At the time, Perry said Bryan and Richie would learn of her exit when they watched her appearance. "They know that I have some things planned for this year," she added. "So it's going to be a very, very exciting year… for all popstar girlies!"
Perry has been advocating for musician Jelly Roll to take her spot next season. Bryan said he had an inkling Perry was going to leave the show. "She had hinted to me - a little bit," Bryan confirmed to Kimmel.
"Then maybe she hadn't told Lionel, is that possible?" Kimmel asked.
"Well, Lionel is such a father figure, you know how it's really hard to sit your dad down and tell him things," Bryan noted.
Bryan's comments come amidst rumors of tension between the "American Idol" judges. A recent headline read, "Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie Feud Over Katy Perry's Replacement," prompting Bryan's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" to set the record straight.
Bryan's comments confirm that he and Richie remain on amicable terms and that the decision of who will replace Perry is being left to the show's producers.
