What to Know
Is there drama between Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood behind the scenes at American Idol? If nothing else, it’s clear that they definitely butt heads about the contestants they each believe should be given a shot to compete on the show — especially when it came to certain contestants who appeared on this week’s episode, which showed the third week of auditions.
Luke and Carrie’s biggest disagreement was over an artist named Miyoko.
Miyoko, a 24-year-old anime singer, was definitely unique compared to the other contestants we’ve seen so far. She sang in Japanese, and while she certainly has talent and passion, Carrie wasn’t sure that this particular competition was right for her.
“I thought it was very good. I love your energy. In this arena, we do not have anime night, so I’m not sure this is the avenue, but we enjoy your uniqueness,” Carrie told her when Miyoko was done performing a song from the show “Tokyo Ghoul.”
It was immediately clear that Luke disagreed with her in a big way, pointing out that if they let the “Baby Got Back guy through” — a contestant Carrie campaigned hard for previously — they should be letting Miyoko through, too.
Carrie lost the argument about sending her through.
Both Luke and their fellow judge Lionel Richie agreed that Miyoko should go to Hollywood, making Carrie the only no from the three judges. Lionel did have a few reservations about her style of singing, though.
“We don’t want theater, we want that pop singer,” he said. “I think the only way you’re gonna know what we’re talking about is to put you in the class.”
From there, it was a done deal — though after Miyoko celebrated and left the room, Luke had one more biting comment left for Carrie. He said, “Carrie, I know this has damaged our judging relationship just a wee bit,” to which she replied, “I do not find that entertaining.”
Working together as judges is the first time Carrie and Luke have spent any real time together.
In January, Luke shared what surprised him about working with Carrie most since she joined American Idol as a judge last year during an interview with SiriusXM station The Highway.
Well, you know, the thing I know about Carrie Underwood is she is the most on-time person you have ever met,” he said. “I’m talking about punctual, dialed in, professional. I’m talking about like one minute before. Like Bill Belichick taught her how to show up on time. And so I’m in my dressing room and I’m pretty good, but then I look on the monitor and see who’s in the chair already. And let’s say it’s 9:03, and there’s Carrie, ready, looking at her nails. We’re like, you know, throwing it on. So, just her punctuality.”
