Lionel Richie is officially returning to the American Idol judges’table for season 25, joining Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. He shared the news virtually during Luke’s Nashville concert on Thursday, and the virtual appearance was a clue about what’s been going on behind the scenes.
Richie has had a string of health scares in recent months. This month he was hospitalized for a procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. In August, he spent three days in the ICU after struggling to finish a show in St. Louis. He was also hospitalized in June after getting dizzy at a tour stop in St. Paul. Three upcoming tour dates in San Francisco, Chicago, and Columbus have been canceled.
Sources say Richie’s children, including Nicole, Sofia, and Miles, want him to slow down and are worried he’s pushing himself too hard. At the same time, those close to him admit performing is who he is, and he’ll keep doing it as long as he can. The Idol gig looks like the compromise: less travel, still on camera, still doing what he loves.
Do you think Lionel should listen to his family and slow down, or keep doing what he loves? Sound off in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.