American Idol Shocker: Katy Perry Leaving After 7 Seasons — Watch
The upcoming 22nd season of American Idol will be Katy Perry‘s last, TVLine has confirmed, following her surprise announcement during Monday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Kimmel asked Perry how long she sees herself continuing as a judge on Idol, which returns for Season 22 on Sunday (ABC, 8/7c), prompting Perry to break some unexpected news. After teasing an appearance at Brazilian music festival Rock in Rio this fall, Perry added, “So I think this will probably be my last season for Idol.”
Watch Perry make her big announcement below:
The singer drummed up a bit of excitement (and even more confusion) on Instagram, where she teased her Kimmel appearance with the following: “Let’s play 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 American Idol.” (Assuming she did not actually beat this year’s Super Bowl headliner at the Monopoly-based card game, we’re left to believe that is her lie.)
Perry has been a judge on American Idol since the competition was rebooted by ABC in 2018. Neither Luke Bryan nor Lionel Richie, both of whom sat beside Perry for all six of her seasons, have commented on their future with the show.
Are you shocked by her decision to part ways with American Idol after seven seasons? Do you think the show will suffer without her on the judges’ panel? Drop a comment with your thoughts on this unexpected turn of events.
I’m gonna take a guess and say Luke and Lionel will announce they are leaving after the upcoming season as well, or next season.
Idol hasn’t been the same show since it left (or booted/not renewed by) Fox network. It used to be “must see tv” and its ratings confirmed that.
It still performs very well in the ratings
Correct; last TV season it was ABC’s most-watched and top-rated entertainment program.
I would say the ratings for the show downgraded each season since it’s premiere but after I say 7-10 seasons on Fox it started to bleed audiences more. My theory like others is the fact too many white youngsters with guitars winning. How many females have won on the Fox seasons outside of the big stars Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood? Exactly! How many were of a different color besides season 2 winner? Spot on the truth! Some of the best singers were let go early like Jennifer Hudson in the earlier seasons. On the other hand, that meant not being tied down to contractual agreements or the record company of Idol’s choosing. That earlier exit allow her more freedom to do her thing and not what Idol wants her to do. She’s got an Oscar to prove it right? For Dream Girls I believe.
THANK GOD!
Ever since the show was revived on ABC, I only got through one season. Katy is absolute cringe and wants everything to be about her. Good riddance.
I actually stopped watching American Idol BECAUSE of Katy Perry. If, in fact, this is her last season I may watch next season depending on who her replacement is. I enjoy Katy Perry’s music and I think she has a marvelous voice but she is just way too over the top otherwise.
Kelly Clarkson makes sense to replace her.
I don’t Kelly needs it, and she just quit The Voice due to her insane schedule with her Talk show & Music Career.
The original 3 judges were together for 9 seasons. Simon judged for 10. Randy for even longer. Not sure where she got her info.
The original 3 were together for 7 seasons (Season 1-7) before Kara DioGuardi joined in Season 8, and then Paula didn’t return for Season 9 (contract negotiation fallout) which was Simon Cowell’s final season (a snooze fest).
I’m not surprised at all
I will miss her on Idol . She is part of the slow as are Lionel and Luke . They are all different and create a good balance . Good luck in finding a replacement that can fill her shoes !
For those that do not like her – you got your wish 😡
Love you Katie and best of luck in your new endeavor! You will be missed 🤗♥️
I’m guessing that this is a salary negotiation tactic, plain and simple. Threatening to leave might be the only way to get more money. She makes a whopping $25 million per season (Luke =$12 mil, Lionel = $10 mil) for 20 episodes. Guess that’s not enough for Katy.
She’s going on a world tour and probably won’t have time for idol.
Good. She never failed to try to turn it into Katy Perry and Friends. Maybe Carrie Underwood or Jordin Sparks would be interested?
I wouldn’t mind seeing Jennifer Lopez return to idol. I think she would fit in great with Luke and Lionel as well. I know she was tied to the show when it was a possibility of it landing at nbc.
I’d love to see Carrie Underwood serve as a judge, though with Luke there, that might make it lean a bit too heavily toward country.
If Luke exits, I’d love to see Jon Bon Jovi join the show. If anyone knows the ropes about a career in music, it’s Jon.
It’s time for her to
Move on. She was a very caring and compassionate judge but also a major drama queen. Small amounts of that is a good thing. The show is about the contestants not the judges. She is an amazing talent and I wish her the best.
Well I dod believe after last season where the predation try to make her the mean judge. She would need a million more for every season moving forward. Maybe they wouldn’t give it to her or at less saying they aren’t yet.
My three picks
Idol judging experience: Jennifer Lopez
Former contestant: Carrie Underwood
Wildcard: Selena gomez has a relationship with Disney already through only murders in the building
Hall-leh-lu!!!!!
.
Now let’s see if they can steer this ship back in a direction that outputed talent like Carrie, Chris, Jennifer, Kelly and Adam, just to name a few.
.
Maybe take a page out of the 80s prime time soap Dallas and pull a Bobby Ewing where the seasons with Katy were just a dream.
Honestly I’m kinda happy she’s leaving. I loved her prior to her being on idol. I wasn’t a big fan of how she treated a lot of the contestants. Definitely stopped listening to her music as much. Maybe I’ll have a newfound love.
I’m not shocked. After seven seasons it was only a matter of time before the panel got a shakeup. I know there’s a lot of opinions about her, but I always enjoyed her warmth and her unabashed need to be entertaining at all times (even the inappropriate times.) I’ll miss her and I hope they can find someone with a similar joy and positivity.
It doesn’t matter. They can all leave as far as I care. The 3 current American Idol judges are just silly Pollyannas who don’t offer valuable constructive criticism anyway. Every contestant performance is great to them. I’d prefer to see former Idols as guest judges during the preliminaries and none at all once viewer voting starts. That would cut out much of the worthless banter and provide time for more performing. When I watch Idol, it’s despite the judges, never because of them.
Now if they would get rid of….and we’ll tell you after the break.
My guess is she has a 7 year contract and as it comes to an end, she is gearing up for new contract negotiations.
Ok by me because I can’t stand her! Hope they find something really good to replace her!
I think American Idol has mature Katy and I think she got her inspiration from new up and coming artists in the biz and found her new groove. It was time for her to move on even though I think she did a better job at judging then Paula Abdul. She actually gave some detail critiques and wasn’t afraid to put on her “Simon Cowell” hat for some harsh truths.
I believe they have keep Lionel and Luke at all costs. If not 2024 or 2025 may very well be the end. They need a big name to replace Katy. Either that or a former winner or top 5 member like Gabby or just Sam
Should of been canceled years ago. This show has worned out it’s welcome.