Katy Perry, the pop superstar, has ended her seven-year stint as a judge on American Idol. She announced this during the Season 22 finale on May 19.
Katy Perry has now ended her seven-season stint as a judge on American Idol. She cried when Abi Carter was named the winner because she was so moved.
Perry, 39, shed tears after candidate Abi Carter won the Season 22 finale on Sunday, May 19, denoting her final departure. Perry joined the team of judges in 2018, alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, when the show was restored on ABC following its 15-season run on Fox.
Carter’s rendition of “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish? was one of the night’s best performances. And when the performance ended, Perry embraced her kindred judges, Bryan and Richie, as the season came to an end. Carter won over runners-up Will Moseley and Jack Blocker, who finished second and third, respectively.
Perry announced earlier this year that she would leave the show following Season 22. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, she stated,
“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol.”
The singer continued,
“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?” she said, winking at Jimmy Kimmel.
What Fellow Judges Said:
Meanwhile, Luke Bryan, who joined the show with Perry in 2018, discussed her exit in an interview with ‘Taste of Country Nights’.
“I had heard whispers that she was thinking about it — it wasn’t, like, a huge shock. It’s been a good run with Katy, and she and I have developed a great friendship and to work alongside her. I mean, heck, I was there before her daughter was born, and now her daughter is [3 years] old”, Bryan said.
Lionel Richie also expressed skeptism about Perry’s departure to PEOPLE.
“We’ve kind of developed a little family and what’s happening now is that we keep talking about her leaving, but it hasn’t registered yet. So I think as it goes on, Luke and I will probably get together and realize that we’re going to kidnap her,” Richie joked.
