ABC/Craig Sjodin
With the finale of American Idol on the way Sunday, ABC has already confirmed a third season in 2020. But Luke Bryan clarifies that he, Lionel Richie, and Katy Perry are still in talks about their return.
“They have agreed to pay me $180 million…” Luke jokes. “We like that number… it’s in the ballpark.”
“But, no…” he adds in a more serious tone. “I’m obviously excited about the potential of a season three. We’re in the business portion of it where we’re working [the contract] out — I pray to God that me and Lionel and Katie are the ones that can come back.”
Luke will sing his latest hit, “Knockin’ Boots,” on Sunday. But regardless of what happens, he says American Idol made him better.
“I could not be prouder of what we have put on TV…” he asserts. “I can tangibly hold my head high… It’s something that I enjoy doing. It’s something that I work hard at.”
“My learning curve from last year to this year — I just got a lot better…” Luke admits. “Now I hop in a cab and a lot of people don’t know now my music… they just know me from American Idol.”
But the Georgia native doesn’t foresee any cause for worry.
“All things feel positive that me and Lionel and Katy and Ryan [Seacrest] will be back,” Luke says candidly.
Luke confesses he has a dollar figure in mind.
“I always like to find out what Blake’s making on The Voice, and just do one dollar more than him…” he deadpans. “I’m gonna get him all liquored up, and he’s gonna tell me his salary, and then I can come back and tell Idol what I want.”
The American Idol season two finale starts Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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