Luke Bryan has shared a reassuring update about fellow American Idol judge Lionel Richie following the singer’s recent health concerns, revealing that the two recently spoke by phone.
Bryan said he initially hesitated to contact Richie because he knew the music icon had been busy and had recently dealt with health issues. However, he ultimately decided to call and check in on his longtime Idol colleague.
Luke Bryan Checks In on Lionel Richie
During an interview with Good Morning America, Bryan said Richie reassured him that he was doing well.
“He’s doing well. I talked to him. I didn’t want to call him and bug him, [but] I called him, said, ‘I love you.’ And then he called me back. He was like, ‘Man, I’m just telling you I’m alright.’ So it was good for him to call me,” Bryan recalled.
The country star added that Richie “works hard” and needs to “slow down a little bit.”
The update comes after Richie, 77, was hospitalized for the third time this year after experiencing an irregular heartbeat. His representatives told PEOPLE that he underwent treatment for atrial fibrillation, or AFib, and said that “everything went perfectly.”
Lionel Richie’s Recent Health Concerns
Richie’s latest hospitalization followed two earlier health-related incidents this year.
In June, TMZ reported that Richie was taken to a hospital by ambulance after he said he felt “dizzy” and “strange” while performing in St. Paul.
Then, in August, Richie returned to the hospital as a precaution and spent three days in the ICU while undergoing tests for cardiac issues he experienced after a performance in St. Louis.
According to the latest update, Richie is now said to be “doing great” and is taking time to recover before returning to the stage.
His health situation also affected the Sing a Song All Night Long Tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. The tour had been scheduled to continue this weekend but is now set to resume October 16 in Las Vegas.
Lionel Richie Is Returning to American Idol
Despite the recent health concerns, Richie recently joined Carrie Underwood and Bryan virtually to announce that all three will return to the judging panel for Season 25 of American Idol.
The announcement was made September 24 during Bryan’s star-studded Luke Bryan and Friends concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
While Underwood and Bryan were onstage, Richie appeared in a prerecorded video and revealed that the trio had been keeping a major secret.
“I’m so surprised that I’ve been able to keep this a secret,” Bryan said before the announcement was made: “We’re coming back for the 25th season of ‘American Idol’!”
Ryan Seacrest will also return as host for a 25th consecutive season.
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The upcoming season will mark Richie and Bryan’s 10th year as Idol judges. Both joined the ABC revival in 2018, when the series returned to television following its 14-season run on Fox. Underwood joined the panel in 2025 after Katy Perry’s departure.
Luke Bryan Says Idol Has “A Lot of Heart”
Bryan also spoke about the close relationship he, Richie and Underwood have developed since Underwood joined the judging panel.
He revealed that the three judges created their own group text to stay connected and keep the fun going both on and off the show.
“It’s a fun job…The kids are fun. They’re chasing their dreams. We’re rooting for them. The show has a lot of heart,” Bryan said.
He also encouraged aspiring singers to audition, noting that there is still an undiscovered American Idol contestant somewhere out there.
American Idol is scheduled to return in 2027, although ABC has not yet announced an official premiere date.
Source: Compiled from various sources
