Lionel Richie returned to Alabama this week, introducing fellow “American Idol” judges Katy Perry and Luke Bryan to his hometown.

Richie, 74, has strong ties to Tuskegee, where he was born and raised. It’s also the place where Richie first came to fame as a member of the Commodores. On Monday, the pop and R&B icon showcased his roots for Perry and Bryan, visiting significant sites such as Tuskegee University (Richie’s alma mater), the Tuskegee Municipal Complex and Richie’s new Hello Park, named for his famous song.

The three celebrities were filming for a Season 22 episode of “Idol,’ focusing on community hoopla in Richie’s honor and a dedication for Hello Park. (It’s a green space near the university that was nominated by Richie for the Lowe’s Hometowns project.) The stars are expected to continue filming in Tuskegee on Tuesday, although specific locations haven’t been announced.

The ABC reality series is filming audition episodes for next season in each of the judges’ hometowns, according to The Idol Pad, a popular fan site that specializes in spoilers. On these visits, Richie, Perry and Bryan evaluate singers hoping to receive golden tickets to Hollywood and the chance to compete on national television.

The hometown visits are meant to be festive, too, as the judges attend colorful ceremonies in each city and greet the public. And, of course, they’re accompanied by a camera crew and “Idol” producers who monitor the action.

The hometown treks started in September in Bryan’s hometown of Leesburg, Georgia, according to local media reports. Tuskegee was second on the list, prompting Southern hospitality from city officials and excited posts from onlookers on social media. In mid-October, the “Idol” judges will travel to Perry’s hometown of Santa Barbara, California, according to The Idol Pad.

Tuskegee evidently opened its arms to Richie, a longtime hometown hero, and extended a warm welcome to his “Idol” colleagues.

“There was a lot of love and a lot of history there today,” said Joe Turnham, a Tuskegee resident and director of the Macon County Economic Development Authority. “It was a nice day for the city.”

Turnham — who answered a phone call from a reporter with the quip “Is it me you’re looking for?” — said Monday was a busy day for the celebrities and for the city of Tuskegee. Public fanfare started in the afternoon, when the stars made an appearance at the municipal complex. They were greeted by cheers from a large crowd and music from a high school band. Richie also received a key to the city from Mayor Lawrence F. Haygood Jr.

Later, the stars moved on to Tuskegee University and a performance by the Marching Crimson Pipers. They spoke briefly to students after the band welcomed them to campus, according to Jalen Flythe, a freshman at the university. (Flythe filmed the video below, which shows Bryan praising Richie and Tuskegee.)

The judges arrived at Hello Park around 3:45 p.m. for a ceremonial tree planting, a ribbon cutting and more. About 100 people attended the event at the park. “It had a real hometown feel and a level of intimacy,” Turnham said. “Everyone felt like they were part of ‘American Idol.’”

During the day’s events, Richie made sure to chat with old friends, former teachers and folks who knew him when. “It was a really sweet day,” Turnham said. “He came back and did this … You could see the pride in his face.”

According to Turnham, Richie said he wants Hello Park to be a peaceful place for for Tuskegee University students to meditate, reflect and contemplate. The park — which sits on a plot of land Richie’s family owns near the entrance to Tuskegee University — also is meant to be a destination for visitors to the city.

“I decided to take that land right across the street and turn that into a welcoming place, not only for visitors coming to Tuskegee, but also for the students and faculty to be able to sit and basically bathe and meditate in the history of Tuskegee University and the surrounding area,” Richie said in a July interview with Southern Living. “There’s George Washing Carver, Booker T. Washington, the Tuskegee Airmen … there’s so much history in that area. It needed a gathering spot. It needed a place where people could come and talk and reflect.”

Bryan and Perry joked with Richie during the park dedication, Turnham said, just as they do on television. Bryan, for example, asked Richie if the fledgling trees would grow big enough to hold a deer stand. (The country star is an avid hunter and affiliated with the Buck Commander brand.) Perry, on the other hand, hugged one of the trees and noted that she’s from California.

“At the events and ceremonies, you could see the playfulness of the three judges,” Turnham said. “They’re three beautiful people, very friendly and kind.”

It’s unclear when footage from Tuskegee will air on “American Idol,” but Season 22 is set to debut in spring 2024. The series has showcased hometown visits for contestants in the past, including Alabama singers Ruben Studdard, Taylor Hicks and Bo Bice. All three were filmed during visits to the Birmingham area when they reached Top 3 status on their seasons.

Alabama has a significant history on “American Idol” that includes wins by Studdard and Hicks in 2003 and 2006, respectively. The state also has produced two runners-up, Bice in 2005 and Diana DeGarmo in 2004. More than 20 other contestants from Alabama have been featured during “Idol” auditions, Hollywood week and live performances.

Richie is the first celebrity from Alabama to sign on as a primary member of the judging panel. He joined the series in 2018, along with Perry and Bryan, when “American Idol” moved from FOX to ABC.

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