Lionel Richie and American Idol producers had a two-hour meeting this week about the prospects of the music veteran signing onto the rebooted ABC talent competition as a judge.
The 68-year-old entertainer, insiders told TMZ, made a great impression with producers, who like the ‘vibe’ he brings and believe he’d be perfect as a ‘nice judge’ type.
The All Night Long singer is up for one of the two available judging chairs on the program, as pop star Katy Perry was the celebrated centerpiece of the show’s return, with the outlet reporting she scored a $25 million payday in doing so.
Master of his craft: Musical icon Lionel Richie, 68, met with American Idol producers in a two-hour meeting this week in regards to a potential position as a judge on the reboot. The All Night Long singer was snapped in Burbank earlier this month
She said in a statement last month that she was ‘honored and thrilled to be the first judge bringing back the American Idol tradition of making dreams come true for incredible talents with authentic personalities and real stories.’
She continued: ‘I’m always listening to new music, and love discovering diamonds in the rough – from mentoring young artists on my label, or highlighting new artists on my tours, I want to bring it back to the music.’
Already in: Roar singer Katy Perry agreed last month to a $25 million pact to judge on the reboot. She was snapped Saturday in London
With Perry’s upbeat statement and Richie – whose daughters Nicole, 35, and Sofia, 18, are celebrities themselves – known as an all-around nice guy, it was not immediately clear if the judges were looking for a brash and blunt judge in the vein of Simon Cowell, the outlet reported.
The former Commodores member’s potential deal remains in limbo, the outlet reported, until producers finalize their arrangement from the show’s host Ryan Seacrest.
The sticking point in the negotiation for Seacrest – who’s agreed to a payday in the range of $10-15 million – boils down to Seacrest’s request for executive producer status in addition to his on-air duties.
Hammering out the details: Ryan Seacrest and producers are negotiating over his request for executive producer status in addition to his on-air duties. The media star was snapped in France Wednesday