The new season of "American Idol" will be Katy Perry's last.
Perry has been a judge on the ABC reality competition show since 2018, alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.
On February 12, she appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live and cited her busy schedule, which may include a new album cycle, as the reason for her departure.
“This September I’m playing a big music festival in Brazil called Rock in Rio. It’s really exciting. It’s a big thing for people all over the world, especially my Brazilian fans ," she told the titular host. "So I think this might be my last season on 'American Idol .'"
"I love 'Idol' so much. It connects me to the heart of America. But I need to feel my own pulse," Perry continued, revealing that fellow judges Richie and Bryan will "find out tonight" about her departure Decide.
"I love the show so much, but I want to see the world and maybe bring new music," she concluded. "Maybe I'll come back if they find me one day."
Perry hinted on Instagram earlier in the day that she was quitting "American Idol." "Let's play two truths and a lie," she wrote in a letter to her 206 million followers. “1. I beat @usher in Monopoly. 2. I’ll be headlining Rock in Rio this September. 3. This is my last season on @americanidol.”
Season 22 will be her last
The singer will perform judging duties on the upcoming season of "Idol," which begins airing on February 18.
In an interview with Buzzfeed after the Season 21 finale in March 2023, the Firework hitmaker joked that she felt outnumbered by the "testosterone" of the group and invited Lizzo to join her programme.
"I hope Lizzo gets on 'American Idol,' " Perry said at the time. "This is an invitation from me, Katy Perry, and Lizzo to join the panel... I really need some bold, honest, hot takes."
