Pop star Katy Perry has recently announced she will be leaving the singing contest show, “American Idol.” Although she has been a judge on the popular show for seven years, she has recently decided it would be best for her to focus on her personal singing and music career.
Perry has been on the show since the 16th season and has greatly influenced it over the past seasons; however, season 22 was announced to be her last season judging.
Throughout her numerous years on the show, Katy Perry has provided feedback for contestants to perfect their talents while creating a common cheerful culture on the set.
She balanced the difference between inspiring and helping singers while maintaining and holding them to high standards.
Perry’s co-judges on the show are Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Although Richie supports Perry’s decision to leave the show, he was shocked and saddened by her abrupt exit.
“It just made me run off the road when I first heard about it,” Richie said. “My phone blew up.”
Luke Bryan has not made a statement about Katy Perry leaving the show.
Although this ending is bittersweet for Perry, she is open about her reasons for leaving. Perry has future plans to release new music after leaving the show. Perry also plans to perform at other events that will advance her career.
“I love the show so much, but I want to go see the world and maybe bring new music,” Perry said to talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.
When talking to the GA community about Katy Perry leaving American Idol, some were upset but others were okay with her leaving.
“I am pretty sad that she is leaving.” Gabe Meinstein ’26 said. “She was one of my favorite judges!”
“ I loved watching Katy Perry judge on the show,” Elsa Simonetti, ’26, said. “Now I feel like this will make less people watch the show because they are losing her influence.”
Others were content to see Katy Perry move on and are excited to see what’s in store for her and American Idol.
“I’m okay with her moving on,” JP McGill ’26 said. “I’m excited to see who the new judge will be.”
“Katy Perry was a big part of American Idol,” Arjun Sood ’25 said. “But I’m happy to see her move on to bigger and better things.”
Since Perry has only recently announced her exit, an official replacement for her has not been announced. However, many people are speculating about possible replacements. These possible replacements include Alanis Morissette, Carrie Underwood, Paula Abdul, and Jennifer Lopez.
A new judge could mean increased viewers of the show, even ones who were uninterested in Perry as a judge.
“I did not watch American Idol before or when Katy Perry was a judge,” Noelle Petersohn ‘26, said. “Now hearing that there is a possibility that Jennifer Lopez could be a judge makes me want to watch the show.”
Although Perry is leaving, the popular TV show has no intention of stopping production. The producers are currently looking for a replacement, and both co-judges, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, plan to remain on the show.