Lionel Richie has a longtime love affair with Tuskegee. That’s his hometown, in case you hadn’t heard, and the R&B and pop star maintains strong ties to the place where he was born and raised.

Need proof? Richie, 74, had no trouble rattling off five things he loves about Tuskegee, via social media posts in advance of the next season of “American Idol.” Season 22 , which starts on Sunday, Feb. 18, will have a “hometown” theme.

In videos posted this week to 6.2 million followers on Facebook and 1.7 million followers on Instagram, Richie listed his five favorite things about Tuskegee. “First of all, my house,” Richie said. “Secondly, my old bed. Third, the university, Tuskegee University, killer. Fourth, great memories, great memories. And of course, the fifth, the family. And close friends.”

Richie, who’s been a judge on the ABC reality series since 2018, brought his fellow “Idol” judges, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, to Tuskegee in October 2023, introducing them to his hometown with a film crew in tow.

READ: Lionel Richie visits sweet home Alabama with ‘American Idol’ judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan

The trio visited sites such as Tuskegee University (Richie’s alma mater), the Tuskegee Municipal Complex and Richie’s Hello Park, named for his famous song. (It’s a green space near the University, nominated by Richie for the Lowe’s Hometowns project.) Excerpts from the trip will be used on “Idol” this season, along with footage filmed in Bryan’s hometown of Leesburg, Georgia, and Perry’s hometown of Santa Barbara, California.

“American Idol” also filmed audition episodes for this season in each of the judges’ hometowns, according to The Idol Pad, a popular fan site that specializes in spoilers.

Tuskegee has long held a place in Richie’s heart, personally and professionally. He started his career with the Commodores in 1968, earning initial fame with hits such as “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Nightshift” and “Brick House.” Richie moved on to achieve even greater fame as a solo artist during the 1980s and has remained an iconic figure in the entertainment industry.

Richie’s signature songs include “Penny Lover,” “Truly,” “All Night Long,” “Hello,” “Running With the Night,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Sail On,” “Stuck On You,” “Dancing on the Ceiling” and more. He has four Grammy Awards to his credit, as well as an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

Richie also named a 2012 album of celebrity duets “Tuskegee” after his hometown. ”It couldn’t be anywhere else but Tuskegee,” Richie said that year during an interview with AL.com. “I am a kid from Tuskegee. People know me there. To pay tribute to them, to put their name on it around the world, is what makes it ever so fitting and proper.”

Alabama has a significant history on “American Idol” that includes wins by Ruben Studdard and Taylor Hicks in 2003 and 2006, respectively. The state also has produced two runners-up, Bo 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 for Season 16, along with Perry and Bryan, when “American Idol” moved from FOX to ABC.

If you watch: The Season 22 premiere of “American Idol” will air on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 7 p.m. CT on ABC. Early episodes are filmed in advance.