Katy Perry Reveals She’s Leaving “American Idol: ”'I Wanna See the World and Maybe Bring New Music'
The singer, who joined the show in 2018, teased "something is coming" as she announced her exit on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Monday
Katy Perry is leaving American Idol.
The singer and Idol judge, 39, announced her exit from the show after seven seasons on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Monday as she teased she has more projects, including new music, to come later in 2024.
“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol,” Perry confirmed. “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 added, winking at host Jimmy Kimmel.
When asked what her fellow Idol judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie said about her leaving, Perry responded, “Well they’ll find out tonight!”
Related: Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie Will Return as 'American Idol' Judges for Season 22
She then explained that her co-judges “know that I have some things planned for this year,” adding, “So it’s going to be a very, very exciting year … for all popstar girlies!”
The “Roar” singer added of Bryan, 47, and Richie, 74, “I love them so much,” as she also shared that the pair were aware of her plans to exit Idol after seeing her “in the studio."
“They figure I’ve been in the studio for a while so they figured something is coming,” she continued. “I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music.”
Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty
Perry is leaving 'American Idol' after judging for seven season on the showKimmel, 56, also grilled Perry about who could potentially replace her and if there will be a "coronation ceremony" where she hands over her crown. “Let’s just say I’m creating space for my new wingspan," Perry teased in response.
The musician joined Idol as a judge alongside Bryan and Richie back in 2018 for the revival of the show by ABC following its original 15-season run on Fox.
In July 2023, ABC announced the return of Perry, Bryan and Richie as judges for season 22, the first episode of which airs Feb. 18.
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As for a possible return to the series, Perry told Kimmel she’d be open to the idea, saying, “Maybe I’ll come back if they'll have me one day!"
"I'm sure they'll be very happy to have you and if it turns out you want to come back I'm sure they'll fire whoever replaces you," he joked.
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