The American Idol season 16 judges made their big debut on Good Morning America Wednesday (Oct 4). Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan sat down with hosts Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan to chat about the upcoming ABC reboot and their first day on the job.
American Idol 16 Auditions Begin in New York City (PHOTOS)
American Idol: Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie Join Katy Perry as Judges
“This is a dream team,” said Katy. “We’ve only had one day together, yesterday, and we’re already just so locked in. There’s such incredible mutual respect. Everybody has their strengths and knows their different wheelhouses.”
As far as what the panel brings to the table, Lionel said, is experience. “What we do with all of this knowledge at the other end of the career? We have to give it back. We share it. I kept thinking. Do I write the book? Do I do the documentary? No. I just become a judge right quick.”
Luke is humbled by the idea they could be discovering the next superstar. (Well…that remains to be seen) “We’re challenged by that throughout our whole assessment of this human standing in front of us. We care about [the] emotions they’re going to go through. We’re judging—do we think they’re going to be able to handle this ride?”
The trio was also asked to comment on the recent tragedy in Las Vegas (which was a little out of place here, I think) After that heavy discussion, after a commercial break, the panel moved on to express surprise at the number of poised teenagers they’ve seen in auditions. “There’s still talent out there to be discovered,” said Katy. “There are still stars and diamonds in the rough. I think the great American dream. We can revive that…and show people that if they have the talent, if they work really hard, and give them that lucky star…maybe we can give them…a little platform to shine.”
A fan in the audience asked Katy what song SHE’D sing if she were auditioning for Idol, “I wouldn’t sing half of my songs because they’re so high, I have to squeeze my buttocks to sing ‘Firework’,” she joked, “I would probably sing ‘Roar’ or something like that.”
Not necessarily comparing Idol to other singing shows on the air. (BUT SHE WAS) Katy said that the show “Is really about the contestants. We are secondary. We’re just there to support. We’re here to really make dreams come true and hopefully find that American Idol.”
“What’s coming down the pipe is quite exciting,” promised Lionel.
Watch the interview below.
https://youtu.be/fr-RkcYn95w
Fun intro…
WATCH: Counting down to @AmericanIdol on @ABC; sneak peek of what's in store this season! https://t.co/jGJ0mfxdGD #IdolOnGMA pic.twitter.com/YL8XJmPTUp
— Good Morning America (@GMA) October 4, 2017
