‘I’m bringing my mace!’: Lionel Richie reveals assessing American Idol contestants with fellow judges Katy Perry and Luke Bryan could get dicey

‘You’re going to mace us,’ said the Play It Again crooner, ‘don’t let him go through your pocketbook, Nicole, and get your pepper spray.’

Of course he was referring to Lionel’s 36-year-old reality star daughter Nicole Richie.

Katy Perry then chimed in and explained that one of the greatest advantages of the show is that the judges only have a limited influence.