Katy Perry Is Leaving American Idol
After seven seasons, this Idol judge is bidding farewell to the show.
Katy Perry on American Idol; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Katy Perry is leaving American Idol after seven seasons as a judge.
The pop icon shared the news on Jimmy Kimmel Live! On Monday evening (Feb. 12).
The Upcoming Season Of American Idol Will Be Perry’s Last
“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol,” she told Kimmel. “I mean I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying Jimmy?”
Perry then revealed that her Idol cohorts, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, were unaware of her decision to leave the show until this moment.
Her Fellow Judges Didn’t Know She Was Leaving
“They’ll find out tonight,” she said, adding that it may not be a huge surprise to them.
“They figure I’ve been in the studio for a while so they figured something is coming,” Perry continued. “I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music.”
Of Bryan and Richie, the “Firework“ singer shared, “I love them so much.”
Perry’s fellow American Idol judges have yet to speak out on the news of her departure.
She Teased New Music
The international pop star also teased what’s to come, adding that she has “some things planned for this year” and that it will be a “very, very exciting year” for the “popstar girlies.”
Ahead of her appearance on Kimmel, Perry teased the news on social media, challenging her followers to play a game of “two truths and a lie.”
1. I beat @usher at Monopoly Deal.
2. I’m headlining Rock in Rio this September.
3. This is my last season on @americanidol.
She then told her fans to tune into the show to find out.
When Did Katy Perry Join American Idol?
Perry joined the American Idol judges panel in 2018 when ABC revived the show following a 15-season streak on its original network, Fox. Bryan and Richie joined the show at this time as well and together, they have successfully appeared in seven seasons of the show (including the upcoming season).
While appearing on Idol, she famously headlined a Las Vegas residency at Resorts World, which consisted of a whopping 80 shows. She wrapped her time there in November.
Over the summer, it was announced that Perry, Bryan, and Richie would return to Idol once again for its seventh season on ABC and 22nd run overall. Ryan Seacrest has once again been confirmed to host.
Fans can an early look at the upcoming season of American Idol with the release of the first audition, featuring McKenna Breinholt. This moving performance found the Idol hopeful performing Zach Williams and Dolly Parton’s GRAMMY-winning duet, “There Was Jesus” and emotionally reuniting with her birth family.
Parton and Williams later reacted to the audition on social media.
How To Watch The New Season Of American Idol
Audiences have the chance to witness the initial audition phase by tuning in to the upcoming season premiere airing on Sunday, February 18th, or streaming it on Hulu. This premiere provides a sneak peek into the aspiring singer/songwriters who are gearing up to perform for the esteemed panel of judges, vying for the coveted title of the next American Idol champion.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
You may also like
Country Next
Playlist
On Repeat
Get the latest country music news delivered straight to your inbox.
