Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie are back in their American Idol judges chairs starting this Sunday, February 14th to find the next group of entertainers that will skyrocket to stardom!

Luke is very excited to be back, especially how last season ended due to social distancing, “To have the fourth season of American Idol and to certainly end the third season virtually, and now we can roll in and we’re back in front of the kids for live auditions, and being in the room with an extremely talented artist and singer is really, really powerful.”

Luke says there a different energy being there live as opposed to being just on a screen, “You don’t want those moments virtually. I was so thankful that the show with a way to get us in front of the kids, and certainly, we followed all the COVID protocols, and it was amazing watching everyone at American Idol come together, and it was really special watching the kids show up. The way we even did auditions, virtual auditions, made it easier for kids that may not have submitted their auditions. I feel like it helped us find new talent that we wouldn’t have found otherwise.”

And when it comes to someone having the “right stuff,” Luke shares some of the key ingredients needed to find success on the show, “To be an American Idol, you’ve got to have the star factor, the sparkle in your eye. You’ve got to control the room. Own the room. Own the moment. It’s got to be God given. It’s got to be God given talent. But you also have to work really, really hard for it and you have to learn how to fight. I’m yet to learn how to navigate this competition. But if you don’t come in there with that idol factor, that star quality that makes me and Lionel and Katy just light up. When you walk in the room, you’re gonna have. You’re gonna have a little bit of trouble being the next American Idol.”

There’s already someone who stands out in Luke’s eyes as having that “star factor” — it’s 17-year old Alex Miller.

Luke shared an early preview of Alex’s story and audition with the comment “I couldn’t help myself but sing with Alex Miller, and it sure was fun. Look out Grand Ole Opry! Watch us now before it airs on American Idol this Sunday night.”