Lionel Richie Confirms Return to "American Idol" Amid Health Concerns
The music icon will rejoin the judging panel for the show's 25th season, a decision his children reportedly wish he would reconsider.
Lionel Richie has announced his return as a judge on "American Idol" for the show's upcoming 25th season. The confirmation came during Luke Bryan’s "Luke Bryan & Friends" concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.
Richie, along with fellow judges Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood, confirmed their participation for the new season. While Bryan and Richie have been part of the judging panel since season 16, Underwood joined in season 23. Richie appeared virtually for the announcement, reportedly due to his ongoing health issues.
This announcement follows recent reports that Richie's children are concerned about his health and have urged him to slow down his career. A source close to the family told Page Six that Richie's children believe he is "pushing himself too hard," especially after a series of hospitalizations.
"Lionel's kids really want him to slow down," the source stated. "They’re concerned about him and worry that he’s pushing himself too hard, especially after everything that’s happened over the past few months."
The singer, 77, was reportedly hospitalized for a heart issue, undergoing a procedure for Atrial fibrillation (AFib). His representative confirmed the procedure went well and that Richie was recovering, but would take some time off. This incident followed a previous three-day hospitalization in late August after he struggled to complete a concert in St. Louis.
Richie's children, including Nicole, Miles, and Sofia, are said to be worried about his well-being. However, the insider also noted that they understand his passion for performing and do not expect him to stop entirely. "The reality is, though, they know that’s not really Lionel. He loves what he does and he’s going to want to keep performing for as long as he possibly can. That’s just who he is at his core."
Prior to these recent health scares, Richie had also been hospitalized in June after experiencing dizziness during the opening night of his North American tour. This led to the cancellation of his next three scheduled tour dates.