Luke Bryan has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). The Georgia-born country superstar and American Idol judge shared the announcement on Monday (April 12), adding that he won't be able to take part in the first live American Idol show due to the diagnosis.
"I'm sad to say I won't be a part of tonight's first live @AmericanIdol show," Bryan wrote on social media. "I tested positive for COVID but I'm doing well and look forward to being back at it soon."
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 (@lukebryan) April 12, 2021
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The Tennesseean reports that Bryan will no longer be performing at the 2021 ACM Awards, which will air on Sunday, Apirl 18 in Nashville.
Country trio Lady A and Best New Artists winners Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen have been added to the lineup.
Bryan is nominated for Entertainer of the Year at this year's ceremony. His album Born Here Live Here Die Here is nominated for Album of the Year.
Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul will fill in for Bryan on the singing competition series while he's out. Bryan appeared on Sunday's (April 11) episode of American Idol, which was pre-taped.
Since 2018, Bryan has been on the judging panel of ABC's American Idol, along with Katy Perry and Lionel Richie.
"The interesting thing is just trying to navigate all of the new rules of COVID-19," Bryan told People in February. "One tricky thing is a lot of times during the audition process, contestants will get very, very emotional and it will be an emotional situation for them."
Bryan told the magazine that not being able to comfort contestants the way the judges once did is difficult.
"The fact that me and Lionel and Katy can't walk out there and do the human element — hug and show support and love, is very, very tough," Bryan said.
Bryan recently released the deluxe edition of his album Born Here Live Here Die Here.
This article was originally published on April 12. It was updated on April 13.
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