Luke Bryan’s wife Caroline dismisses rumors ‘fight’ with American Idol judge led to contestant Wyatt Pike’s abrupt departure
American Idol fans convinced themselves there was a link between the sudden departure of final 12 contestant Wyatt Pike and the absence of judge Luke Combs due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
But the country music star’s wife Caroline set the record straight in a TikTok on Sunday, according to People.
Responding to rumors of a physical altercation between Pike and her husband, she shared: ‘Trust me, he has covid. I kinda wish there was a fight. I’m sick of taking care of kids alone and sanitizing. I’m peeing Lysol!!!’
Not true: Luke Bryan’s wife Caroline is debunking rumors about a possible link between her husband’s absence from American Idol last week and the departure of contestant Wyatt Pike
Bryan, 44, was replaced by former Idol judge Paula Abdul on the season’s first live show on April 12 after revealing via Twitter he had contracted the coronavirus.
And then on the episode, host Ryan Seacrest made the surprise announcement that Pike, 20, had dropped out of the talent contest.
The news came a few days after the Idol hopeful had had posted photos to Instagram sharing he was back home in Park City, Utah.
Rumor: Some Idol fans embraced a theory that a physical altercation between judge Bryan and Pike had occurred that led to the temporary absence of the judge and sent Pike home
Truth: But the country music star’s wife set the record straight in a TikTok on Sunday
Unexpected: On the season’s first live show on April 12, Idol host Ryan Seacrest announced the news that Pike ‘had to drop out, but we wish him the very best’
Last Wednesday, Pike posted a photo of himself to his Instagram and gave his fans an update, writing: ‘I had to leave the @AmericanIdol competition for personal reasons but am so thankful I get to play music for the rest of my life.’
He went on: ‘Fellow contestants – miss you all, good luck! Thank you to everyone for your support… do stick around for more musical things soon!’
On Monday, Pike dropped a video for his just released song Friday Nights that’s available on streaming platforms.
Upbeat: Last Wednesday, Pike posted a photo of himself to his Instagram and gave his fans an update, saying he is ‘thankful I get to play music for the rest of my life’
New music: On Monday, the 20-year-old dropped a video for his just released song Friday Nights that’s available on streaming platforms
Meanwhile, Bryan was named Entertainer of the Year at Sunday night’s ACM Awards in Nashville, accepting the award remotely.
And on Monday, he was back on American Idol, having made a speedy recovery from COVID-19.
‘I was very fortunate to not have a long, long set of symptoms and stuff,’ he told People. ‘It was still quite challenging for a couple of days.’
He added: ‘There were times when Caroline was nursing me back to health, so I was certainly amazed to move through that.’
Feeling better: On Monday, country music star Bryan was back on American Idol, having made a speedy recovery from COVID-19 and shared his excitement via Twitter
Honored: Meanwhile, the Country Girl hitmaker was named Entertainer of the Year at Sunday night’s ACM Awards in Nashville, accepting the award remotely