Katy Perry Bids Farewell to ‘American Idol’ After 7 Seasons with Emotional Goodbye
Witness Katy Perry's tearful farewell as she bids adieu to ‘American Idol’ after serving as a judge for seven seasons, leaving fans and viewers emotional during the season 22 finale.
Emotional Katy Perry Says Goodbye to ‘Idol’ After 7 Seasons
Katy Perry. Momodu Mansaray/Getty
Katy Perry said goodbye to American Idol during the season 22 finale on Sunday, May 19. The singer of "Roar" became emotional as she left the hit singing competition after being a part of it for seven seasons.
Perry, who is 39 years old, was seen in tears when season 22 winner Abi Carter ended the show with her winning performance. She sang a cover of Billie Eilish's Oscar-winning song, "What Was I Made For?" while judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan comforted her by wrapping their arms around her.
Before Carter was declared the winner, there were many heartwarming moments to celebrate Perry's seven years on Idol.
Perry teamed up with finalist Jack Blocker to sing her song, "What Makes a Woman," from her 2020 album, Smile. During the performance, Perry wore a dress decorated with the faces of some of the Idol contestants she has critiqued over the past seven years.
The top 12 contestants this year showed their love for Katy Perry by performing a medley of her greatest hits, such as “Roar,” “Teenage Dream,” “Dark Horse,” and “California Gurls.”
Perry enjoyed watching the performance as she nibbled on a slice of pizza. When the performance ended, she excitedly hopped up on the desk to soak in the applause from the audience, contestants, host Ryan Seacrest, and her fellow judges.
Perry revealed some behind-the-scenes moments from her last night on X. She posted a video of herself tossing pizza to the audience with the caption, "A pizza my heart will always be on the #idol stage."
Perry’s finale outfit also paid homage to her time on Idol. The star wore a gold metallic breastplate featuring seven roses — one for each season she has appeared on.
She captioned the post with "7 roses for 7 seasons #idol."
Perry, Richie, and Bryan joined Idol in 2018 when it moved to ABC. Perry announced her departure from Idol during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live in February.
"I think this might be my final show, my last season for Idol," she shared. "I adore Idol and how it has connected me with the heart of America. However, I feel the urge to march to my own drumbeat, you know?"
"I have so much love for the show," she continued. "But I want to explore the world, possibly bring new music. Who knows, maybe one day I'll return if they'll have me."
Editor's P/S:
Katy Perry's departure from American Idol marks the end of an era for the beloved singing competition. During her seven seasons as a judge, Perry has been a source of inspiration and support for contestants, sharing her expertise and passion for music. Her emotional farewell on the season 22 finale was a testament to the deep connection she has formed with the show and its participants.
Perry's contributions to Idol have been immeasurable. She has fostered a positive and nurturing environment, encouraging contestants to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams. Her mentorship has extended beyond the competition, as she has continued to support many former contestants in their musical journeys. Perry's departure leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, but her legacy as a judge will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of aspiring singers.
