What was Lionel Richie's childhood like? 'American Idol' Season 22 judge reflects on early days as he visits his grandma's home
TUSKEGEE, ALABAMA: 'American Idol' Season 22 judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan recently embarked on a hometown quest in search of musical talents. During this journey, Richie delved into his childhood memories while visiting his grandmother, Adelaide Mary Foster, in Tuskegee, Alabama.
The ABC show judge grew up in a vibrant Black community and faced numerous challenges. Despite the obstacles, he honed his singing skills and eventually achieved stardom. In the premiere episode, Richie took Perry and Bryan to his childhood home, located across the street from the residence of the president of Tuskegee Institute, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.
Richie guided Perry and Bryan to his grandmother's room, sharing, "For years, she tried to teach me how to read music, but she was a classical pianist and took it very seriously." He added, "And the notes, and played the notes on the paper." Reflecting on his journey, Richie expressed, "I found out if you can't play other folks' songs, you write your own."
During the episode, Richie showcased some throwback black and white photos and presented a flashback video of him and his grandmother playing the piano.
Lionel Richie learns the piano from his grandmother
Oscar-winning singer and 'American Idol' Season 22 judge Lionel Richie inherited his piano prowess from his grandmother, Adelaide Mary Foster, a classically trained pianist. He absorbed her skills by closely observing her performances, memorizing her hand movements from a young age.
Katy Perry commended Richie for staying connected to his roots, expressing, "It's just so beautiful, and the fact that he still has it, too, and he's kind of preserving it... that is so Lionel Richie."
Meanwhile, Luke Bryan noted, "To see Lionel's childhood home and the community that supported him in music, educated him and raised him... it's pretty special."
Lionel Richie reverses his vote for Jack Blocker
During the week 1 audition of 'American Idol' Season 22, contestant Jack Blocker faced rejection with two nos from Lionel Richie and Katy Perry. However, Luke Bryan, impressed by Blocker's performance of his original song 'I Was Wrong,' advocated for him and successfully persuaded Richie to reverse his decision.
While Katy Perry acknowledged Blocker's "good-sounding voice," she criticized his delivery, describing it as "put-on" and suggested he should focus on singing the notes instead of stretching to reach them. Luke Bryan, on the other hand, praised Blocker, drawing a comparison to Paul Simon, and expressed his liking for the unique performance.
Despite Bryan's positive assessment, Richie, considering the tough competition, initially declined Blocker's advancement. Disappointed with this decision, Bryan sought a second chance for Blocker by asking the crew to vote. Surprisingly, many crew members raised their hands in support of Blocker, prompting Richie to change his vote. Jack Blocker was then awarded a golden ticket to Hollywood.
Catch new episodes of 'American Idol' Season 22 every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC. The new episodes will be available to stream next day on Hulu.