Keely Shearer
Who Is Bobby Bones? The Radio Host Is ‘American Idol’s New Secret Weapon
ABC didn't just reboot American Idol's judging panel — the revival also boasts a new mentor. But who is Bobby Bones, anyway? For starters, he's the host of iHeartRadio's The Bobby Bones Show and The Country Top 30 Weekend Countdown, but he might also be the reality competition's saving grace. Here's what you gotta know about this 38-year-old…
He brought big ratings to Idol.
In a recent Forbes article, one commentator predicted Bobby Bones — born Bobby Estell — would give American Idol a much-needed ratings boost: "Interscope honcho Jimmy Iovine and Big Machines Records boss Scott Borchetta held the mentor roles in previous seasons of the show, but Bones brings a different level of notoriety to the role. While Iovine and Borchetta's roles were rooted in a business gain (their labels would go on to distribute their respective seasons' winners), Bones is an impartial third party."
The writer continued: "He's also more well-known to non-industry viewers than Iovine and Borchetta when they assumed the role. And, although Idol's judging panel packs a superstar punch, Bones is arguably a bigger draw … Bones draws millions of listeners — tens of thousands per market — every weekday morning."
Bobby Bones is not gay — but he is single.
In October, the Nashville deejay announced his split from Canadian singer Lindsay Ell, and it sounds like business came between them. "I guess I'll go ahead and say it — Lindsay and I broke up," he said on his show, per Taste of Country. "It sucks. And here's why: I've been dating Lindsay for over a year. We've known each other a few years. We started dating and I was like, 'We probably should think about this before we date because it could hurt your career. Other radio stations, Spotify, they're going to hold it against you that you're dating me. I don't even know these people, but they're going to hold it against you.' And they did."
He swears by a sleep app.
In May 2017, Bobby told radio listeners he tried a sleep app called mySleepButton at the advice of Lindsay. He said he struggles with anxiety, but the app sent him right off to dreamland. And listeners followed his lead.
Check out this fan's testimonial, for instance: "I haven't slept a good nights sleep in years. It's sporadic at best from all the tossing and turning. Last night I downloaded the app recommended by The Bobby Bones Show. Took 10 minutes; I was out for the count. Never woke up till this morning's alarm."
He's one half of a comedy music project.
Bobby Bones and his friend "Producer Eddie" record comedy songs as an act called Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots. They've released tracks titled "Chick-fil-A But It's Sunday" and "Namaste," for example, and the latter even topped the comedy music charts. So yeah, Bobby knows a thing or two about creating a hit!
