American Idol judge Luke Bryan's wife Caroline Boyer has shut down rumors Wyatt Pike mysteriously left the competition last week after getting into a physical fight with Luke.
ADVERTISEMENT
Multiple American Idol fan accounts on social media have been speculating Luke missed an episode of Season 19 and Wyatt quit the competition due to a backstage brawl between the guys that left Luke with a black eye.
Many people are convinced Luke did not miss Idol's April 12 live episode because he had COVID-19 but because Wyatt had punched him in the eye.
But Caroline, 41, set the record straight when she replied to a TikTok user suggesting an altercation was the real reason for Luke's absence.
"Trust me, he has covid," Caroline wrote on Sunday of her 44-year-old country crooner husband, according to E! News.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I kinda wish there was a fight. I'm sick of taking care of kids alone and sanitizing. I'm peeing Lysol!"
Luke, however, has yet to personally address the unsubstantiated rumor.
Ahead of American Idol's April 12 broadcast, Luke announced on Twitter he was going to miss the season's first live show, which narrowed down the Top 16 contestants to the Top 12.
"I'm sad to say I won't be a part of tonight's first live @AmericanIdol show," Luke tweeted. "I tested positive for COVID but I'm doing well and look forward to being back at it soon."
During the same episode in which original Idol judge Paula Abdul filled in for Luke on the judging panel that also features Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, American Idol host Ryan Seacrest revealed that Wyatt -- a frontrunner and fan-favorite in the competition due to his songwriting abilities -- had to quit the show.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Before we get to the results, I have to tell you that finalist Wyatt Pike will not be competing in the competition. He had to drop out, but we wish him the very best," Ryan, 46, said.
People reported at the time that Wyatt had to leave American Idol "due to personal reasons."
Specific details about Wyatt's sudden departure have yet to be revealed, but Wyatt wrote April 14 on Instagram, "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."
"Fellow contestants -- miss you all, good luck!" he added. "Thank you to everyone for your support... do stick around for more musical things soon!"
Wyatt had performed as a member of the Top 16 and was praised for his unique performance style.
ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, Luke returned for Idol's Sunday, April 18 episode when Season 19's Top 9 finalists were determined.
Luke posted a video earlier that day in which he shared, "Hey guys, it's Luke. I'm back and feeling awesome and I'm so glad to be back at the judges' table."
Luke's comeback came only one week after he and ABC had announced his coronavirus diagnosis.