Luke Bryan has admitted it is "very, very tough" not being able to hug 'American Idol' contestants.
Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie
The 44-year-old country singer and his fellow judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry have found it "heartbreaking" not being able to step in and offer tactile support because of the guidelines in place due to the coronavirus pandemic when auditionees are overcome with emotion when they perform for the panel for the first time.
He told People magazine: "The interesting thing is just trying to navigate all of the new rules of COVID-19.
"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. 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.
"I think that's one thing you'll see as a viewer of me and Lionel and Katy.
"When someone is hurting and they're emotional, you want to console them and hug them and love on them to help them through. The fact that sometimes we can't go put our arms around them is pretty heartbreaking."
But despite the restrictions, Luke has reassured fans the show will still "look and feel the same" and he thinks producers have managed to navigate the guidance in order to put together an "amazing" programme.
He said: "At the core of it, it's all about those wonderful singers and talented singers walking in the door and really blowing our minds as judges.
"I think through all of the COVID restrictions and rules, we've been able to really, really put an amazing show together, and very excited to see some of the talent that we've been able to find."
Tagged in Katy Perry Lionel Richie Luke Bryan