Katy Perry introduced Monday that she’s departing “American Idol” after seven seasons.
“This fall, in September, I’m going to be doing this big music competition in Brazil referred to as Rock in Rio… so I believe this can in all probability be my final season for ‘Idol,’” Perry mentioned on “Jimmy Kimmel Stay!” to a shocked viewers.
“I imply, I like ‘Idol’ a lot,” she continued. “It’s related me with the guts of America, however I have to really feel that pulse of my very own beat.”
The “Final Friday Evening” singer, 39, appeared on the late-night present to advertise the singing competitors sequence’ upcoming twenty second season.
Perry joined the judges’ panel for the present’s sixteenth season in March 2018 when ABC revived it after a years-long run on Fox.
The “By no means Actually Over” songstress has labored alongside fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie since she signed on.
When host Kimmel, 56, requested, “What did Luke and Lionel say” about her exit, Perry replied, “Properly, they’ll discover out tonight!”
Perry’s run on “Idol” has not been with out its controversies. The pop star truly took a hiatus from the present final yr after fan outcry over her harsh criticisms about contestants.
She initially got here below fireplace for joking that contestant Sara Beth Liebe had been “laying on the desk an excessive amount of” upon listening to the younger singer already had three children.
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“It was embarrassing to have that on TV, and it was hurtful,” Liebe, who in the end stop “Idol” to look after her youngsters, mentioned in a TikTok video after her viral episode aired in early 2023.
“I believe that ladies supporting and uplifting different ladies is so cool and I believe that mom-shaming is tremendous lame and I believe that it’s onerous sufficient to be a mother and it’s onerous sufficient to be a lady.”
The “I Kissed a Lady” performer was additionally booed for criticizing one other competitor’s glittery costume.
Whereas Perry didn’t tackle the new water by which she often discovered herself, fellow choose Bryan got here to her protection.
“Katy will get picked on for going out and making an attempt to have enjoyable making a TV present,” Bryan, 47, mentioned on the Nation Music Affiliation Fest in June 2023.
“You’ll be able to’t be so protected within the second that you simply’re so homogenized, you’ll be able to’t ever go for a joke or go for a enjoyable second.”