Katy Perry‘s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Monday night was expected to be an ordinary visit to promote the latest season of American Idol. However, the 39-year-old pop star spiced things up with a surprise announcement about her future with the long-running singing competition show.
“This fall, in September, I’m going to be doing this huge music festival in Brazil called Rock in Rio… so I think this will probably be my last season for Idol,” Perry revealed. There was an audible gasp and a “wow” heard from the audiences after she shared the news, but the “California Gurls” singer wanted to let everyone know that it was time for her to move on. “I mean, I love Idol so much,” she explained, “It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I need to feel that pulse of my own beat.”
Perry joined the show when it was revived in 2018 after an 18-month layoff. The series made the move from Fox to ABC for its 16th season with Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan also coming aboard the judges’ panel. Kimmel was curious to know what her costars thought about her planned exit and that’s when Perry stunned everyone again. “Well, they’ll find out tonight,” she quipped. Surprise, Lionel and Luke!
By departing the show, Perry will be leaving a lot of money on the table. Back in 2018, The Wall Street Journalreported that as the lead judge she was receiving $25 million per year. Host Ryan Seacrest and Bryan earned $12 million and Richie scored a $10 million paycheck. “We made substantial investments in talent. We wanted to have the best judges,” then-ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey told the media outlet. Well, it looks like Perry is OK with walking away from that huge source of income — hopefully, she’s saved a few dollars during her tenure.
It’s too early to know who will slide into Perry’s chair after Season 22 wraps up this spring, but the speculation is likely beginning. She had a great seven-season run and American Idol earned her a cool $175 million, so she can probably afford to take a little time off.
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