American Idol judge Luke Bryan shot down any chance of Beyoncé boosting the singing contest’s sagging ratings with a guest appearance by suggesting the “Texas Hold ’Em” songbird isn’t truly part of the country music family — and now the show’s bosses are steamed, a source exclusively tells Life & Style.

The Nashville hitmaker, 48, appeared to defend the Country Music Association’s snub of the R&B beauty’s crossover album, Cowboy Carter, after the record got zero nominations.

Luke, who is hosting the CMA Awards on November 20 with Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson, says, “If you’re going to make country albums, come into our world and be country with us a little bit. I’m all for everybody coming in and making country albums. But a lot of things don’t get nominated.”

His remarks followed Dolly Parton’s apparent diss, which branded Bey’s effort a “specialty album.”

Luke also wondered aloud about Cowboy Carter’s sales figures — even though it’s poised to be the best-selling album of 2024 for any artist not named Taylor Swift.

Luke Bryan Beyonce Call Out ‘Ended Any Chance’ of ‘Idol’ Return (EXCL)
Texas-born Bey’s first country disc galloped to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and sold more than 400,000 copies during its first week of release — more than double the initial sales of Luke’s recent album Born Here Live Here Die Here.

Although Luke later clarified, “I respect Beyoncé,” a source says American Idol brass are fuming over his big mouth and would have been thrilled to have hugely popular Beyoncé appear on the program!

Bey, 43, last visited Idol for the season 10 finale in 2011 when she belted out her hit “Crazy in Love.”

“They would give their eye teeth to get Beyoncé back on the show as a performer and mentor. Ratings were in the tank last season, and Beyoncé brings a fan base who will watch her,” the insider explains.

“But Luke calling her out pretty much ended any chance of getting her back on Idol. Beyoncé doesn’t go where she doesn’t feel wanted!”