Luke Bryan Hints All 3 Judges Will Return for Season 4 of ‘American Idol’

It sounds like Luke Bryan might be signing up for another season of American Idol, along with his fellow judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. The reality TV talent show wrapped up its third season on ABC on Sunday night, May 17, with Sam Diaz, known as Just Sam, being crowned the winner. The last few episodes of Idol were filmed remotely, due to safety issues surrounding COVID-19.

“I think what everybody needs to realize is that this crew, this team we started with American Idol — we kind of had to revamp the vibe and it takes a little time to rebuild that,” Luke told People. “To go from year one to where we are now, it just feels great. We’ll leave these phone calls and we’ll start talking it out and plan next year, but I know I certainly love where we’re at as the show. I love the product that we’re putting out.”

Katy, who announced her pregnancy on the show earlier in the season, will welcome her first child, a girl, into the world this summer with her fiancé Orlando Bloom. In spite of the uncertainty surrounding coronavirus, Katy is still optimistic they will all reunite in the fall.

“We usually start taping in September or October,” Perry acknowledged. “I think this whole year is a year of unknown and uncertainty. I think we’ll probably have a plan A, B, and C. I hope we’re all going to be judging on the show. That would fun to stay the same. But I think we kind of just have to go with the flow and be malleable like we were for the end of Idol.”

Lionel also wants to return, especially if he is with his fellow judges.

“What we did this time, we’re actually proving to the world that it’s not just a cute show,” Lionel noted. “We’re turning out real artists. Being with Katy and Luke, I can’t imagine being with anyone else on this show because it’s just been so fun, but at the same time, so productive. We are actually scaring ourselves when it comes down to what we’re getting in terms of artists. I’m enjoying the process. Bring on the next season, we’re ready.”

Luke has already rescheduled shows on his upcoming Proud to Be Right Here Tour. He is also scheduled to perform at the Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach in September. Updates can be found on his website.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Schmidt PR / Jim Wright