kicked off this season's live shows on Monday, but they had to do it without Luke Bryan. The judge and country crooner tested positive for COVID-19 — which paved the way for former judge Paula Abdul to make a guest return for the night.Judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie joined Abdul to speak with ET's Lauren Zima after Monday's live episode, and the judges shared an update on how Bryan was holding up.While Bryan may not have been in the studio, Perry said the judge was keeping in touch in real time.«He was texting us.
He was blowing up our phones during the whole episode. Some of it we can't even say...» Perry joked.«We can't say half of it!» Richie added.«But he agreed with everything,» Perry shared. «He was just giving critiques at home..