Lionel Richie remains on American Idol’s announced judging panel, despite a new report claiming producers are considering a replacement if his health prevents him from taking part.
An Oct. 15 report from RadarOnline cites unnamed sources who say executives want a backup plan. It also alleges that the singer’s children have urged him to reduce his workload.
The same report includes a challenge from a source close to Richie, who called the story false and denied that his family was pressing him to slow down.
Richie, 77, has been a judge since ABC revived the competition in 2018. The upcoming season would be his tenth with the network.
Richie Joined the Judges’ Announcement by Video From Nashville
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On Sept. 24, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood were together at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena when a recorded message from Richie played on the venue’s screen. He spoke about friendships he had formed in the city, including with his fellow judges, before inviting them to share their news.
“We’re coming back for the 25th season of American Idol,” Bryan told the audience. Underwood added that Ryan Seacrest would return as host, according to iHeart’s coverage.
The show followed with its own social-media announcement. ABC lists the milestone season for 2027, with Underwood continuing on the panel she joined in 2025 after Katy Perry’s departure.
His Representative Confirmed September Treatment for AFib
Two days before the Nashville announcement, Richie’s representative confirmed that he had undergone a procedure to treat atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib.
“The doctor said everything went perfectly,” the spokesperson told PEOPLE on Sept. 22. “Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.”
AFib involves irregular electrical activity in the heart’s upper chambers. One treatment, catheter ablation, targets tissue involved in the abnormal signals to help restore a regular rhythm, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Richie’s recovery interrupted three performances with Earth, Wind & Fire: Sept. 26 at San Francisco’s Chase Center, Sept. 30 at Chicago’s United Center and Oct. 2 at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.
NBC News reported that all three had been postponed, citing venue employees and the United Center’s statement. No replacement dates had been set when that report was published.
He Had Returned to Performing Between Earlier Hospital Visits
Richie became dizzy during the June 24 opening night of his Sing a Song All Night Long tour in St. Paul, Minnesota. He sat down while performing “Dancing on the Ceiling” and later played “Three Times a Lady” at the piano before leaving the stage.
After an extended intermission, saxophonist Dino Soldo told the audience that Richie was unwell and could not continue. The next two concerts were postponed on doctors’ advice, and Richie resumed performing in Pittsburgh on June 30.
In a July 4 Instagram update, he thanked fans for their messages and recalled enjoying the Pittsburgh and Detroit audiences. “I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you,” he wrote, as Us Weekly reported.
At his Aug. 29 concert at The Muny in St. Louis, Richie requested a chair to finish “All Night Long.” He subsequently checked himself into a hospital for evaluation. ABC News confirmed on Sept. 2 that he was back home; a source close to his tour said he had sought care out of caution.
His October Las Vegas Shows Have Been Removed From the Calendar
Richie had been scheduled to perform his King of Hearts residency at Encore Theater inside Wynn Las Vegas on Oct. 14, 16 and 17. Those appearances were called off, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Oct. 9.
Two replacement performances are listed for Jan. 8 and 9, 2027. The newspaper reported that a third proposed January date was unavailable because comedian Jim Gaffigan was already booked at the theater.
Wynn and Richie’s official schedule currently list his next Encore Theater performance for Nov. 11, followed by shows on Nov. 13 and 14.