Booty-shakin’ country music standout Luke Bryan‘s name has cropped up in the rumor mill surrounding ABC’s reboot of the popular singing competition American Idol. Pop star Katy Perry is already set to join the judge’s panel, reportedly raking in a whopping $25 million contract. On July 20th, it was announced on Live with Kelly and Ryan that Ryan Seacrest would be returning as the host for the program’s revival season.
I’m spicy, @RyanSeacrest is seasoned❗️All the right ingredients are coming together on @AmericanIdol. Have YOU auditioned? #TheNextIdol 🎶🎤🎶
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 20, 2017
“It’s genuinely hard to put into words what American Idol means to me. I’m so grateful for the show and all the career and life opportunities it’s allowed me to experience. It’s been an incredible journey from day one. To be asked to return this year, at my new home at Disney|ABC, is an honor, if not a bit surreal,” the host shared in a statement.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Charlie Puth are being considered to join the show but official negotiations have not started yet.
Auditions are scheduled to start on August 17th in Florida, so ‘American Idol’ decision-makers need to act fast.
Over the span of fifteen seasons on FOX, American Idol has had a slew of judges: Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Harry Connick, Jr., and Keith Urban.
As fans can recall, country music superstar Keith Urban served as a judge on seasons 12 through 15. Having Bryan join the fray makes sense, ABC has a strong relationship with the country music genre and broadcasts the annual Country Music Awards. The reality show also kick-started the music careers of country music darlings Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, and Lauren Alaina.
It seems as though Luke would be open to the concept of joining American Idol and has already made an appearance on a reality singing competition. Earlier this year, the Georgia native appeared on NBC’s The Voice and served as a mentor to fellow country music star Blake Shelton’s team of contestants.
Luke is certainly comfortable in front of the camera and he’d do a fine job if he’s picked to join American Idol‘s panel of judges. Would you like to see this happen?
