Katy Perry Felt ‘Suffocated’ by ‘American Idol,’ Doesn’t Watch Carrie Underwood Judge, Source Says
Katy Perry officially said goodbye to American Idol after seven seasons of glam, glitter, and golden tickets. The pop icon, known for her bold fashion statements and brutally honest critiques, confirmed her departure while speaking to Jimmy Kimmel. While she alluded that she may want to return, a source now says she has no interest in returning to judge the reality series. Additionally, Perry allegedly doesn’t seem to have an interest in watching her replacement, Carrie Underwood.
Katy Perry felt like ‘American Idol’ was ‘holding her back,’ a source says
American Idol fans had mixed feelings about seeing Katy Perry depart from the show. She judged alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie and brought a different energy to the mix. Perry announced her departure from the series on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, noting that her fellow judges didn’t know she planned to leave.
“But, I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol,” she said at the time. “I mean, I love Idol so much. It’s connecting me with the heart of America. But, I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat; you know what I’m saying, Jimmy?”
Since leaving the show, Perry released her album, 143, and announced her “Lifetimes” tour. A source told The U.S. Sun that Perry “doesn’t even watch” American Idol and has renewed focus on her music career.
“Katy doesn’t even watch the show, so she hasn’t seen Carrie,” the source revealed. “But she feels more like herself now than she has in years being a pop star. She is a pop star to the core, and her team all felt like the show was holding her back; she felt that too. It was suffocating in a way due to being under the Disney contract and needing to film so many weeks of the year and having to answer to people she would not normally have to answer to.”
Perry allegedly has “no opinion” on how Carrie Underwood is doing as her replacement. “Katy wishes the show and everyone there well; she still views it as a positive overall,” they said. “She just graduated from that chapter and has no interest in going back.”
Katy Perry previously showed support for Carrie Underwood as the new judge
Between going to space on the Blue Origin all-female flight and heading out on tour, Katy Perry likely doesn’t have time to watch American Idol. While she might not have a direct opinion on how Carrie Underwood is handling judging, she spoke positively about the Idol winner previously.
“She was born on that show,” Perry told People. “I think she knows how to steer it. She actually truly knows … what it feels like to be in their shoes. We could only metaphorically feel that as judges.”
Perry noted that Underwood can relate to the contestants better than any other judge, including Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. “As artists, we’ve been in some sort of their shoes, but she has lived every single day,” she continued. “So, I think she’s going to have a lot to offer anyone that’s willing to listen.”
The ‘Firework’ singer allegedly feels ‘disappointed’ in the lack of ticket sales in some countries
Katy Perry’s “Lifetimes” tour begins on April 23, 2025, and concludes in December 2025. She’s hitting locations across North America, Australia, and Europe. While some venues will certainly sell out, a source told The U.S. Sun that the star feels “disappointed by the lack of interest” in a few of the places she’s traveling to.
“Expectations were high, and she is disappointed by the lack of interest in some countries and venues,” the insider alleged. “Some people involved thought it would be a massive wave with ticket sales exploding quickly, but sadly, she is not Taylor Swift.”
Hopefully, Perry still feels excited to head out on tour.
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