Paula Abdul returns as an 'American Idol' judge for the first time in 12 years

Following Luke Bryan's post on Twitter Monday morning sharing that he won't be a part of this American Idol Season 19's first live show, due to testing positive for COVID-19, Paula Abdul, one of the original Idol judges for the first eight seasons, returned to her old stomping grounds as a guest judge for the first time in 12 years.

Paula was her usual awkwardly endearing self, calling her old castmate Simon Cowell an “STD” and telling the talented contestants that she was meeting for the first time, “I just want to ask all of you, what did your mothers breastfeed you? It's incredible!” She even FaceTimed with Randy Jackson on Ryan Seacrest’s iPad at one point. “if I'm being honest, it's kind of nostalgic,” she told Seacrest. “I feel like I'm visiting my little brother on a show that we started, with our other brother Randy and of course our grandfather, Simon.”

Bryan's temporary leave from the show wasn't the only big Idol news Monday night. Seacrest also announced that 20-year-old Park City singer Wyatt Pike had unexpectedly dropped out of the competition, but gave no explanation, which left viewers totally confused and wanting answers. A source close to the show told Yahoo Entertainment, “Wyatt could not continue due to personal reasons, and we cannot comment further,” and left it at that.

The final surprising news of the night was when Seacrest revealed "the biggest shake-up in Idol history." Since last season's contestants didn't get their moment to perform on the big stage due to COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine, Idol is inviting ten of the Season 18 finalists back to perform next week for a spot in this season's competition.

Video Transcript

RYAN SEACREST: As you may have heard, our own Luke Bryan announced this morning, he tested positive for COVID-19. He's resting at home. Luke, we love you. Feel better. You are missed, OK?

- Following Luke Bryan's post on Twitter Monday morning, sharing that he won't be a part of this season's first live show due to testing positive for COVID-19, Paula Abdul, one of the original "Idol" judges for the first eight seasons returned to her old stomping grounds as a guest judge for the first time in 12 years.

RYAN SEACREST: I can't believe it.

PAULA ABDUL: I can't believe this either. This is crazy.

RYAN SEACREST: It's so great to see you.

PAULA ABDUL: It's great seeing you too.

RYAN SEACREST: We have so many stories, so many memories.

PAULA ABDUL: Yes, I remember every one of them.

RYAN SEACREST: Every single one of them.

- Luke's temporary leave from the show wasn't the only big "Idol" news Monday night. Ryan Seacrest also announced that 20-year-old Park City singer Wyatt Pike had unexpectedly dropped out of the competition but gave no explanation, which left viewers totally confused and wanting answers.

And the final surprising news of the night was when Seacrest revealed the biggest shake-up in "Idol" history. Since last season's contestants didn't get their moment due to COVID, "Idol" is inviting 10 season 18 finalists back to perform on the big stage next week for a spot in this season's competition. Meanwhile, Randy Jackson, one of the other three OG "Idol" judges, was watching the live show Monday and apparently had a FOMO.

RANDY JACKSON: I think Paula's doing an amazing job next to the amazing Katie, the amazing Lionel. I love all of you [INAUDIBLE]

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

[INAUDIBLE] contestants, believe what these people are telling you.