Lionel Richie is pressing on with ‘American Idol’.
Days after it was confirmed that the music legend underwent a heart procedure, Richie’s future on the hit ABC talent search has officially been revealed.
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Per PEOPLE, Richie will return to the judges’ panel for ‘American Idol’ season 25 alongside Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.
The announcement was made during Bryan’s star-studded Nashville concert on September 24, where Richie appeared by video and Underwood joined Bryan on stage. Longtime host Ryan Seacrest is also set to return when the new season launches in spring 2027.
Bryan told the crowd:
“We’re coming back for the 25th season of American Idol.”
The update lands after a concerning stretch for Richie. As TGJ reported, the 77-year-old’s team recently confirmed that he was “doing great” after a heart procedure, while several tour dates with Earth, Wind & Fire were canceled to allow him time to recover.
According to Entertainment Weekly, the procedure addressed atrial fibrillation, following a run of health-related interruptions that included an ICU stay after a St. Louis concert and earlier postponed shows.
TGJ readers will recall that Richie’s health journey has been closely followed in recent months. This latest update, however, signals that one of TV’s most familiar judging lineups remains intact for the landmark season.
