Lionel Richieisn’t afraid to speak his mind.
In an exclusive clip of the upcoming season ofAmerican Idol,the 70-year-old judge caught a young contestant — and fellow judgesKaty PerryandLuke Bryan— off guard after expressing a bold opinion.
“We have a problem,” Lionel told the contestant in the clip. “Well, a big problem actually because I don’t like you.”
“Lionel Richie,” Perry said, while Bryan let out a sigh.
ABC
“I’ve got to be honest with you,” added Richie. “I don’t like you. And for some weird reason, it’s not sitting well with me. I don’t like your voice. I’m being very honest. I don’t like your attitude. And I don’t really think you’re going to make it in Hollywood.”
American Idolcontestant.ABC
“It’s literally a fast track mentorship program that everybody’s watching,” Perry told reporters at anAmerican IdolQ&A on Wednesday. “I think true artists and true stars are coming out ofIdolagain.”
“The talent is showing up in buckets,” Lionel added. “They’re bringing more attitude to the table. In certain cases we have to turn the attitude down. But for the most part it’s amazing what’s happened this year.”
“And to watch the back stories of the kids,” Bryan said. “We get to watch the premiere like America get’s to watch it. We get to fall in love with these contestants and their ups and downs and their paths to get here.”
The newest season ofAmerican Idolpremieres Feb. 16 on ABC.
source: people.com
