Ahead of Sunday’s American Idol 2021 premiere, judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie chatted with Good Morning America hosts George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts.
During the interview, GMA previewed a clip of hopeful Grace Kinstler. You’ve seen the blond haired singer in many of the promos, now we get a longer clip of her singing “(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman.” The performance brought Luke to tears.
Luke brought to tears: We can’t believe what we’re seeing in front of us.
“We get involved in their stories, in whatever got them to American Idol and a lot of times their struggles in life gets us really really emotional,” Luke continued, “But this particular girl–just when she started singing–I couldn’t stop myself. I was just overcome with emotions.” Luke added, “That’s the beauty of American Idol–those clips those moments where this girl is going to be on TV and people all over America are just going to not believe what they’re witnessing. That’s the way we as judges feel when we’re in the chair. We can’t believe what we’re seeing in front of us.”
American Idol 2021 Spoilers: Bobby Bones Reveals Twists, Alum Updates
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American Idol 2021 Promises Never Before Seen Twists (Photos, Videos)
Speaking of being moved by a contestant’s performance, it doesn’t take much to bring Katy to tears. But now that she’s a new mom, she tells GMA how the birth of her daughter Daisy Dove last summer changed the way she judges.
Katy explains how becoming a mom changed her judging style
“This season is all about love and the fact that all you need is love,” Katy explained. “And I think you know as a world we’ve experienced a little bit of a loss of love not being able to be with the people that we love,” Katy said. “I experienced a huge influx of love when my daughter came into our lives and so I was definitely able to give more love this season.”
The cast, including the judges, host Ryan Seacrest and mentor Bobby Bones are back together for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the show to go virtual last spring. Lionel shares what it felt like to finally be reunited.
There is never a dull moment on the American Idol judges panel
“We are not only reunited but it’s it’s on another level,” Lionel gushed. “I have to tell you there is never a dull moment with this crew right here. When we actually got back together. It was more of a Love Fest than the last time we were together.” Lionel continued, “It’s really very special, this particular group is for me. I have more fun than you’ve ever could possibly imagine. These guys are absolutely off the chain.”
Lionel described how he continued to hug people despite COVID restrictions. Hint: A prop was involved! “For me, if I can’t hug you, said Lionel, “I’m not really doing my job appropriately, so I came in with a substitute for my hug.”
American Idol season 19 premieres on Sunday, February 14, 8 PM ET/PT on ABC.
Watch the interview below.
