4 months ago
American Idol‘s Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan are successful limbo aft Katy Perry fled nan reality singing title amid sinking ratings — and sources exclusively show Life & Style her departure whitethorn group disconnected a concatenation guidance and time off nan remaining TV judges retired of a job.
Luke, 48, and Lionel, 75, had ruled Idol‘s chair pinch Katy, 39, since nan erstwhile FOX deed was revived by Disney-owned ABC successful 2018 — but are waiting to perceive whether producers want them to return.
Country vocalist Luke says, “We presently haven’t heard what nan communicative is connected who’s coming back. I deliberation Disney is conscionable trying to fig retired what they want to do. We’re conscionable benignant of sitting backmost and waiting until they decide.”
But a root tells Life & Style nan “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” vocalist and popular prima Lionel whitethorn soon perceive their exit euphony arsenic producers see shaking up nan struggling show. Idol drew astir 8.7 cardinal viewers during nan trio’s inaugural play — but viewership sank to 5.6 cardinal this year.
Sources opportunity nan driblet could make it difficult to warrant nan men’s eight-figure salaries.
“Producers are panicked complete nan ratings descent and are debating whether to springiness American Idol a complete facelift pinch a full caller panel,” nan insider reveals. “Katy opened nan doorway for that by quitting!”
Adds nan source, “There is simply a emotion Idol needs to get younger and tie a younger audience. Lionel is nan oldest judge nan show has ever had!”
Another root adds Luke whitethorn person sealed his destiny by squealing bosses person chatted pinch notable replacements for Katy — including popular stars Pink, Miley Cyrus and Meghan Trainor.
“The producers for illustration to support those talks nether wraps, truthful they tin make a large scatter pinch nan announcement,” nan root explains. “They weren’t happy Luke was talking retired nan school.”
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