During a recent Jimmy Kimmel Live! Interview Luke Bryan addressed the ongoing rumors of a feud with fellow American Idol judge Lionel Richie.
Fans were surprised when Katy Perry announced her departure from the show at the end of the current season, but viewers are relieved to know that Luke and Lionel will be returning. However, there’s speculation circulating that Luke and Lionel aren’t seeing eye to eye because they can’t agree on who should replace Katy.
“I heard rumors, and these are tabloid rumors, that you and Lionel are feuding… Is there any truth to that?” host Jimmy Kimmel asked Luke.
“Yeah, me and Lionel – it’s tense on the set,” Bryan jokingly responded. “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.”
“I read the tabloid,” Bryan said, “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.”
Putting an end to the speculations, Luke addressed whether he and Lionel had any input on Perry’s replacement.
“Not really, we let the smart people do that,” he told Kimmel. “We just show up and judge the talent and have fun.”
Katy Perry Reveals Who She Wants To Replace Her
Katy Perry recently shared her thoughts on who she’d like to see replace her on the judging panel for the next season of the show.
In a post-live show interview with E! News, Katy discussed her ideal candidate for the role.
“I gotta say Jelly Roll was crazy when he came on the show. I was convinced at anything he said. He could run for president, he could be my pastor, I might go back to church for him. He could sell me anything,” Perry said. “To have any of these guys plus Jelly on the show would be amazing.”
And no matter who ends up taking her spot, Katy only hopes that they have one important characteristic: the ability to be honest.
“I want a truth teller. I want someone that is not afraid to tell the truth in a graceful way.”
Watch Luke Bryan’s interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! below.