Katy Perry announced she has quit American Idol during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday night, eight months after insiders exclusively revealed to that she felt “thrown under the bus” by producers.
The 39-year-old pop star and Idol judge used her appearance on the ABC show to announce the news, which comes after seven seasons of the music competition series.
The multi-hyphenate has been planning her exit from the show since last year, when it emerged she felt she had repeatedly been “thrown in the ass” by producers who she believed were deliberately manipulating her to look like the “evil judge.” looked.
The California-born entertainer stopped by the late-night talk show to promote the long-running show's 22nd season, which will premiere Sunday.
During the chat, 56-year-old Jimmy asked how long she planned to continue her career as one of the three American Idol judges alongside Lionel Richie, 74, and Luke Bryan, 47.
Katy Perry announced during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday that she has quit American Idol, eight months after insiders exclusively revealed to that she felt “thrown under the bus” by producers
“Are you going to keep doing this as long as you can?” he asked.
“You know, actually I'm going to be having this huge music festival in Brazil this fall in September called Rock In Rio.” “It's really exciting,” Katy began her answer.
'It's a big deal. It's a big thing for people all over the world, especially for my Brazilian fans. I think this will probably be my last show, my last season for Idol. “I mean, I love Idol so much,” she added.
“It connected me to the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse,” Katy explained.
“The pulse of Rio?” Jimmy asked.
“That pulse to my own beat, you know what I'm saying, Jimmy?” she said.
'Wow wow. “What did Luke and Lionel say?” Jimmy asked.
“Well, they’re going to find out tonight,” Katy said.
Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan are seen with Katy in a May 2023 photo from Season 21 of American Idol on ABC
“I think this will probably be my last show, my last season of Idol.” “I mean, I love Idol so much,” Katy, 39, said
During the chat, Jimmy, 56, asked how long she planned to continue as a judge alongside Lionel, 74, and Luke, 47
“That pulse to my own beat, you know what I'm saying, Jimmy?” Katy said, revealing that the upcoming season of American Idol will be her last
Lionel, Katy and Luke are pictured during season 16 of American Idol in 2018
“Did they really not know?” Jimmy asked.
“Well, you know I have a lot planned for this year,” Katy said.
'Wow wow. How about this? said Jimmy, visibly surprised.
“It’s going to be a very, very exciting year, Jimmy,” Katy said.
Jimmy later asked if she had a succession plan for her position as judge.
“Let’s just say I’m making room for my new wingspan,” Katy said.
“They’ll miss you on this show, I’m sure,” Jimmy said.
“I love her so much,” Katy said.
“You didn’t tell them that much,” Jimmy joked.
“Right,” Katy said.
'Wow wow. How about this? said Jimmy, visibly surprised
Katy showed off her stunning figure in a low-cut black Aya Muse dress during her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live
The pop star showed off her toned stomach
“You told me before. “I guess you love me more than her,” Jimmy said.
“No, they know, they know,” Katy said. “They assume I’ve been in the studio for a while. So you assume something is different.'
“So this will be your farewell season,” Jimmy said.
“I think so, yeah, it will,” Katy said.
She noted that it is her seventh season and former judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson have had seven seasons.
“Oh, so you feel like you don't want to outshine her or what?” Jimmy asked jokingly.
“No, I love the show so much.” “But I want to see the world and maybe bring new music,” Katy said.
“Yeah, go see the world and make new music,” Jimmy said.
“Maybe I’ll come back one day if they have me,” Katy said.
To announce the big news during the TV interview, the shoe designer, who dressed up with her fiancé Orlando Bloom last month, showed off her toned stomach in the sexy look.
The long-sleeved outfit hugged her curves and featured a subtle side slit that accentuated one of her long legs.
The long-sleeved outfit hugged her curves and featured a subtle side slit that accentuated one of her long legs
Ryan Seacrest pictured with Lionel, Katy and Luke on the season 21 finale in May 2023
The revealing necklines were accentuated with small, silver, butterfly-shaped metal parts.
The mother-of-one, who shares three-year-old daughter Daisy with her future husband, completed the look with a pair of open-toe black heels.
Perry's stunning look was styled by Tatiana Waterford.
Complementing the presentation, the California Gurls hitmaker wore her raven hair in an edgy updo.
The delicate look was accentuated by short, face-framing mini bangs.
Katy, real name Katheryn Hudson, wore dangling silver geometric earrings.
Her face was fully and flawlessly made up by celebrity makeup artist Michael Anthony, who wrote of Perry in an Instagram caption on Monday night: “The word on the street is 'A farewell season of IDOL!!'
He highlighted the singer's big blue eyes with moody metallic gray eyeshadow and fluttery lashes.
The revealing necklines of the dress were accentuated with small, silver, butterfly-shaped metal pieces
Katy, real name Katheryn Hudson, wore dangling silver geometric earrings
Her face was fully and flawlessly made up by celebrity makeup artist Michael Anthony, who wrote of Perry in an Instagram caption on Monday night: “The word on the street is 'A farewell season of IDOL!!'
The music artist also took to her Instagram platform to announce about her upcoming career moves.
She shared three snaps from her Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance and hinted at her bombshell news in the caption.
Citing her 206 million followers, Katy wrote: “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 @americanidol.'
She then added, “Watch @jimmykimmellive to find out.”
The post quickly received more than 123,000 likes from her fans, and Demi Lovato commented on the trio of images, saying, “The second slide is so cute!”
In it, the music sensation was seen snuggled up in a fluffy white blanket, which she held up to her face so that only her head was visible.
The music artist also took to her Instagram platform to announce about her upcoming career moves
She shared three snaps from her Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance and hinted at her bombshell news in the caption
Delighting her 206 million followers, Katy wrote on social media: “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 with @americanidol.
Katy competed in the 2018 reboot of American Idol when the singing competition moved from its original home on Fox to ABC.
Last season, she faced a number of controversies and scandals – and sources told in a June 2023 article that she grew tired of dealing with the backlash from viewers, peaking when she was booed because she had criticized the participants.
Although Katy has faced criticism in the past, the insider revealed that season 21 was particularly tough for her, especially when she was caught up in a mom-shaming scandal that led to a singer quitting the show.
“Katy feels like it [the producers] “I threw her under the bus,” the source said. “She feels like her comments could have been removed.”
“Katy became aware of the harsh criticism. Getting booed really upset her. She tried to stay in her lane, get her work done and go home.
“She assumed that she would encourage young talent.” For her good intentions to be misinterpreted was not what she wanted. She has achieved so much in her career and is now seen as a nasty reality show judge.
“Katy has wanted out for a while, but this season has been way too much for her,” the insider said.
During season 16, she was slammed for kissing 19-year-old contestant Benjamin Glaze, who wrote his own song “Stadium.”
During season 16, Katy was slammed for kissing 19-year-old contestant Benjamin Glaze, who wrote his own song “Stadium.”
After revealing that he had never been kissed before, Katy came up to him and gave him a kiss right on the lips.
“I felt a little uncomfortable,” Mr. Glaze told The New York Times. “I wanted to save it for my first relationship. 'I wanted it to be special.'
Katy was accused of “mommy-shaming” 25-year-old Sara Beth Liebe during season 21.
Sara sang “You Know I'm No Good” by Amy Winehouse, and Perry interrupted her performance by saying, “Come on, we need more,” as Sara continued.
“That’s not enough,” Katy said when Sara finished singing. “Try Bennie and the Jets,” she ordered, adding that love had nothing to lose because it was “not her dream yet.”
Katy urged her: “Show us what your voice can do, push it to the limit without looking back.” She added: “Sing it like it's your new dream.”
Sara tried to incorporate Perry's advice into her second song as Perry continued to shout demands at her as she sang.
“More of that! “Hang in there,” Katy said before calling her “Accidental American Idol.”
Sara then shocked the judges when she said she had three children at home.
Katy pretended to faint, to which Sara said, “If Katy is on the table, I think I'm going to faint.”
Katy – who is mother to two-year-old Daisy Bloom with Orlando Bloom – replied: “Honey, you put too much on the table.”
Sara said she found Katy's comments “hurtful” and discouraged others from engaging in “mom shaming.”
“At the beginning of my audition, before I sang, I mentioned that I had three kids and was a young mother, and Katy Perry made a joke that wasn't particularly nice,” Sara Beth said.
“I can’t say much about my feelings about it because it’s probably pretty self-explanatory.”
“But I wanted to take this opportunity to say that I think women supporting and encouraging other women are so cool and I think mom-shaming is totally lame.”
In the following episode – after singing The Police hit “Roxanne” – she told Katy, Lionel and Luke: “This opportunity is really great, but this will actually be my last performance because with my heart “I’m at home.”
“So, I'm going home to my babies. 'They kind of need me.'
American Idol fans were quick to criticize Katy's behavior.
“I really don’t like how Katy Perry just treated Sara Beth on American Idol. They let Katy Perry bully this woman on live national television before she even started singing. “So ugly,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
In a subsequent episode, Katy was accused of waging a “psychological war” against two struggling singers, Carina and Nutsa.
She told Nutsa that she was going home when the top 26 was announced. She then revealed that she wasn't serious and that she would move on to the next round.
Carina was later eliminated. In an episode in April, Katy came after Nutsa again and was booed when she “advised” her to change her wardrobe.
Wearing a shimmering dress and sparkly boots, Nutsa sang “Paris (Ooh La La)” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Katy wasn't impressed.
“Nutsa, every time you step on stage it's like you're bombarding the stage with glitter,” Katy told the contestant. “Listen, one thing I'd like to see from you next time isn't just a piece of glitter. 'I know that's going to be hard.'
“Katy got booed!” Luke said after he and Lionel stood up in shock.
“First time in six seasons,” Katy clapped back.