Luke Bryan was forced to miss the first "American Idol" live episode after testing positive for COVID-19.
The judge and country star shared the news Monday morning on social media, but reassured fans that he was doing well.
"I’m sad to say I won’t be a part of tonight’s first live @AmericanIdol show," he tweeted. "I tested positive for COVID, but I’m doing well and look forward to being back at it soon."
Bryan's seat did not remain empty though. Former judge Paula Abdul took over his role for the episode, the show announced on Instagram.
"Luke will be missed at our first #AmericanIdol LIVE show tonight, but he is resting now in quarantine at home and we’re wishing him a speedy recovery," the post read. "We’re so excited to announce @paulaabdul will be stepping in as a guest judge to join Lionel Richie and Katy Perry as we get closer to crowning a new winner!"
After the show, Abdul joined judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie to speak with Entertainment Tonight about Monday's episode and to deliver a health update on Bryan, who Perry said was doing all right.
"He's totally good," she said. "I think he's gonna be all right. I think we'll be seeing him next week."
Perry added that Bryan acted as if he still was judging the show and would not stop texting them for the entire duration of the episode.
"He was blowing up our phones during the whole episode. Some of it we can't even say..." she said. "But he agreed with everything. He was just giving critiques at home. I guess, alone in his room."
During the interview, Richie also shared his appreciation for having Abdul back on the show.
"Paula did a great job! She did a great job," he exclaimed.
Abdul added that she felt "nostalgic" being back.
"I didn't have time to think about it because it was literally, I got the call on Friday night and I was worried because I was getting my second vaccine and I thought, 'Oh my God, what if I have a reaction?'" she recalled. "I was able to move my appointment to Saturday night, so yesterday I was feeling kind of crappy, but today I woke up fine. And it was fun!"
"I love being on this panel tonight. It's way different than the panel that I was on, that's for sure," she continued, adding that she "didn't have to go to therapy" to get ready to join Perry and Richie.
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Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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