Katy Perry Out, Ed Sheeran In: American Idol Replaces Judges For the 7 May Episode
However, Katy Perry will find another way to join the show, and she will not be alone.
American Idol has been on the air for an impressive twenty-one years and twenty-one seasons, with the latest season currently underway. As the show approaches its season finale and the number of contestants dwindles, the competition becomes increasingly intense and spectacular.
And the swapping out of judges planned for the upcoming episode only adds to the excitement.
Traditionally, the singing contest has a panel of three judges. Throughout its long run, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, and many others have sat on American Idol's panel of judges. Since the sixteenth season – the first to air on ABC – Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan have been the permanent judges on the show. However, the latter two are to be replaced in the 7 May episode.
Reportedly, Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran will step in as guest judges. The two Grammy-Award-winning musicians will join Luke Bryan for a two-hour episode while Katy Perry and Lionel Richie attend King Charles III's coronation overseas. Nevertheless, the beloved regular judges will make an appearance via the Internet to check on their contestants.
One of the most prominent singer-songwriters of the late 1990s, Alanis Morissette, will also be a mentor for the upcoming episode. She will guide the remaining eight contestants as they perform her songs live on the American Idol stage. Additionally, Alanis is expected to sing one of her hits herself.
Meanwhile, the ultimate British bard, Ed Sheeran, will present his new single on the Idol stage, and the contestants will pair up to perform some of his most popular songs in unexpected duets.
With a jam-packed two-hour time slot, it remains unclear exactly how the performances will be arranged and how the eliminations will be carried out without two of American Idol's regular judges. One thing is clear, though: the 7 May episode promises to be unlike anything we've ever seen on the show so far.
American Idol airs live from coast to coast at 8:00-10:00 P.M. ET (5:00-7:00 P.M. PT) on ABC.