In February, the popular singing sensation revealed that she was bidding farewell to the singing competition after seven thrilling seasons. On Sunday night's live grand finale, Katy Perry gracefully bid adieu to American Idol, marking the end of her seven-season journey as a judge.
As a heartfelt tribute to the esteemed singer, the top 12 contestants showcased a captivating medley of Perry's chart-topping hits, encompassing "Teenage Dream," "Dark Horse," and "California Gurls." Perry, who was indulging in a slice of pizza when the performance commenced, leaped onto the judges' table at the conclusion, saluting with a triumphant gesture.
During the three-hour finale extravaganza, Perry also shared the stage with contestant Jack Blocker, performing the powerful duet "What Makes a Woman." Meanwhile, the evening culminated in a triumphant moment as Abi Carter was crowned the winner of Season 22. Her rendition of "What Was I Made For?" from the Barbie movie moved Perry to tears, displaying the deep emotional connection she shared with the contestants.
Earlier in February, Perry had announced her decision to depart from the ABC singing competition, leaving both fans and fellow judges alike in surprise. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Perry was queried by the host about her future with Idol. She revealed, "Well, you know, this fall, this September, I'm going to be headlining this huge music festival in Brazil called Rock in Rio. It's a monumental event for music lovers worldwide, especially my devoted Brazilian fans." Perry added, "So, I believe this will indeed be my final season on Idol."
The announcement elicited gasps from the audience, but Perry continued candidly, "I adore Idol with all my heart. It's connected me deeply with the pulse of America. Yet, I crave the thrill of pursuing my own musical journey and feeling the beat of my own drum."
At the time of her announcement, Perry had not yet shared the news with her fellow judges, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Bryan later revealed that he had heard whispers about Perry's intentions, stating that it wasn't a complete shock. Richie, on the other hand, confessed that the news had left him stunned, likening it to a near-miss on the road. However, he ultimately acknowledged that Perry's decision made perfect sense.
Since the show's revival by ABC in 2018, Perry had gracefully helmed the judging panel alongside Richie and Bryan, leaving an indelible mark on the American Idol franchise.
