Luke Bryan Reveals His Unique ‘American Idol’ Superpower

Luke Bryan is more than just a judge on “American Idol” — he also has a superpower that extends beyond music. With nervous “Idol” hopefuls entering the room to audition for Bryan and his fellow judges, he said he can spot if someone is about to faint.

Luke Bryan: ‘I’m Like a Psychologist at This Point’

During a March 5 interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Bryan and his fellow judges, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood, discussed the “American Idol” auditions.

Bryan revealed he has developed a superpower over the years — he can identify when a singer might faint. The conditions are favorable, with some of those auditioning either overcome with nerves about performing and/or starstruck by being in the same room with the judges.

Richie noted, “Luke tells [nervous singers], ‘Take a knee.'”

“I’m like a psychologist at this point,” Bryan said. “I can read a fainter when they’re about to faint.”

He added, “We had one kid and I went behind him and kind of patted him down and he was 157 degrees, his body temperature. He was about to go.”

The trio of judges also discussed what it’s like when “Idol” hopefuls “butter you up” by singing one of their songs. It doesn’t always go the right way.

“They think it’s to compliment us, but some days we’re praying, ‘Please God, just let them be able to sing it,'” Richie noted. “And sometimes they nail it and sometimes it goes south real fast.”

Carrie Underwood Had to Learn a Tough Lesson

Richie and Bryan also dished on how Underwood has had to find her groove as a judge. A big part of the role is saying ‘no’ to singers — something that the country star eventually figured out.

Richie said he had to “rat on [Underwood],” asking, “What was the hardest moment for this beautiful lady?”

She said ‘yes’ to the first singer and ‘yes’ to the second person auditioning, but quickly realized she couldn’t say ‘yes’ to everyone.

“Luke and I were laughing, ‘well, she’s gotta say no,'” Richie shared. “And she said, ‘well, she’s so cute … she’s so adorable.’ I said, ‘the answer is no!'”

Underwood argued, “I care a lot and it’s people’s hopes and dreams. I’m trying to evaluate, ‘Is there more in there, do I think there’s more in there …'”

“There was not any more in that woman’s [performance] … it was a firm ‘no,'” Bryan said.