Katy Perry, emotional after the season 22 finale of American Idol, decided to leave the show after seven seasons. During the finale, she was seen crying as winner Abi Carter performed a cover of Billie Eilish’s song, “What Was I Made For?”. Fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan comforted her as she bowed out of the competition. Before the winner was announced, there were various sweet moments to commemorate Perry’s time on Idol.
During the finale, Perry collaborated with finalist Jack Blocker to perform her song, “What Makes a Woman,” from her 2020 album, Smile. She wore a dress adorned with faces of past Idol contestants she had judged. Female contestants from the top 12 performed a medley of Perry’s greatest hits, including “Roar,” “Teenage Dream,” “Dark Horse,” and “California Gurls,” as Perry looked on while enjoying a slice of pizza. She received applause from the audience, contestants, host Ryan Seacrest, and her fellow judges at the end of the performance.
Perry shared some behind-the-scenes details from her final night on social media, captioning a video of her throwing pizza into the crowd with, “A pizza my heart will always be on the #idol stage.” Her finale outfit also paid tribute to her time on Idol, featuring a gold metallic breastplate with seven roses, symbolizing the seven seasons she had appeared on the show. She expressed gratitude for her time on the show through a post on social media.
The singer, who joined Idol along with Richie and Bryan when it moved to ABC in 2018, had previously announced her departure from the show on Jimmy Kimmel Live in February. She mentioned that it would likely be her last season on Idol as she wanted to explore new opportunities and see the world. Perry expressed her love for the show and stated that she may return in the future if given the opportunity to do so. Her departure marked the end of an era for the popular singing competition show.
Perry’s emotional exit from American Idol after seven seasons left fans and viewers touched by her dedication to the show. Her impact on the contestants and audience was evident throughout the finale, showcasing her talent and passion for music. While Perry bid farewell to Idol, she left a lasting impression on the show and its fans, who will remember her contributions for years to come. As she moves on to new adventures, Perry’s presence on Idol will be missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire others in the music industry.
