Katy Perry Explains Leaving ‘American Idol’ Isn’t To Retire
Katy Perry attend the 10th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on April 13, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Katy Perry isn’t retiring any time soon. As Perry is readying herself for her final season as an American Idol judge, the 39-year-old pop star told ET in a new interview what her next steps are.
(Photo by Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images)
Katy Perry Explains Leaving Idol
The “Firework” singer told the publication that when the hit singing competition show reaches its season finale, she knows she will be an emotional wreck. As for why she's stepping away from Idol after seven seasons, she insists that it doesn’t mean she’s retiring.
“I’m just trying to make space for other things,” she explains. “It’s not like me ending this show means I’m going to go retire on an island, even though that would be fabulous. I’m gonna go to work.” She teased that the “work” she is referring to will be her sixth studio album. She teased that KP6 is coming soon but cheekily said, “You’ll learn more when it’s ready to launch.”
Perry’s last album was 2020’s Smile, which featured songs “Daisies,” “Never Really Over,” “Smile,” and “Not the End of the World.”
Earlier this month, fellow judge Luke Bryan remained tight-lipped on Perry’s farewell on Idol. However, he did add of his friend Katy, “I think Katy is probably launching world tours and stuff where she goes around the world. So, she probably had to make a decision several months out to get in front of her plans.”
Meanwhile, fellow judge Lionel Richie said of Perry, “She’s got a baby, and she’s got a family, got new music, and it’s going to be amazing. I’m pulling for her.” He sweetly added that he and Byran would be there for her every step of the way if she needed it. Perry shares three-year-old daughter Daisy Dove with fiancé Orlando Bloom.
Though no world tours have been confirmed thus far, Perry will be heading to Brazil later this year to headline Rock in Rio. She also recently made a surprise appearance over the weekend at Coachella to support her longtime friend, EDM artist Mia Moretti. During the festival she wore a Legolas shirt, the role in which catapulted Bloom’s acting career in the Lord of the Rings film franchise.
New episodes of American Idol air on Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu. The show is nearing its mid-mark, cutting down the Top 20 to the Top 14.
Katy Perry's 10 Best Music Videos Ranked
With a music career spanning over 15 years, Katy Perry has some iconic pop hits. From her first big hit in 2008 with “I Kissed A Girl,” she had women all over the world proclaiming their love for cherry-flavored Chapstick. Perry’s music videos have since evolved, usually putting much thought into conceptualizing her fantasy videos.
Early Beginnings and Mainstream Success
The “California Gurls” singer was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson on October 25, 1984, in California. She released her debut album, a contemporary Christian record titled Katy Hudson in 2001, but it was unsuccessful. To avoid confusion with actress Kate Hudson, she briefly performed as Katheryn Perry but adopted the stage name “Katy Perry” from her mother’s maiden name. A few years later, she was signed to Capitol Records in April 2007. The label arranged for her to work with Dr. Luke to add an “undeniable smash” to her existing material. Perry and Dr. Luke co-wrote the songs “I Kissed a Girl” and “Hot n Cold” for her second album, One of the Boys. “I Kissed a Girl” went platinum in the US six times, and the music video has 275 million views on YouTube. Meanwhile, “Hot n Cold” went eight times platinum and has an astounding 1.1 billion views for the music video.
Perry has been an American Idol judge, is engaged to Pirates of the Caribbean star Orlando Bloom. They share daughter Daisy Dove Bloom together. As a businesswoman, she owns several companies. She owns a non-alcoholic, natural-adaptogen beverage company called De Soi. In addition to that, she also founded her own record label under Capitol Records, titled Metamorphosis Music. The name got changed to Unsub Records in 2016, and signed singer-songwriter Ferras that same year. In 2017, Perry signed another singer-songwriter named Cyn. By May 2021, Perry signed Michael J. Woodard, a former contestant from season 16 of American Idol.
Take a look at our top 10 Katy Perry music videos below, ranked:
Laila Abuelhawa is the Top 40 and Hip-Hop pop culture writer for Beasley Media Group. Being with the company for over three years, Laila's fierce and fabulous red-carpet rankings have earned her a feature on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!' Her favorite stories are those surrounding the latest in celebrity fashion, television and film rankings, and how the world reacts to major celebrity news. With a background in journalism, Laila's stories ensure accuracy and offer background information on stars that you wouldn't have otherwise known. She prides herself in covering stories that inform the public about what is currently happening and what is to come in the ever-changing, ever-evolving media landscape.
