Welp… talk about shitty timing.
Not that there’s ever a good time to catch COVID, but Luke Bryan announced that he has tested positive just as American Idol was set to air its first live show of the season.
I’m sad to say I won’t be a part of tonight’s first live @AmericanIdol show. I tested positive for COVID but I’m doing well and look forward to being back at it soon.
— Luke Bryan (@LukeBryanOnline) April 12, 2021
Because of the diagnosis, Luke will be forced to sit out tonight’s show and will instead be replaced by former Idol judge Paula Abdul.
Abdul’s return will mark her first appearance on the show since its move to ABC after serving as a judge for 10 seasons during the show’s initial run on Fox.
Welcome @PaulaAbdul back to #AmericanIdol as a guest judge in time for #AmericanIdol’s first LIVE show tonight at 8|7c on ABC! pic.twitter.com/pijSTC1Owy
— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) April 12, 2021
American Idol has a surprising amount of good country music this year, including a rock solid Tyler Childers cover from Chayce Beckham.