How Katy Perry Really Feels About Carrie Underwood JoiningAmerican IdolAfter Her Departure (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Katy Perry and Carrie Underwood.Photo:Ian West/PA Images via Getty; Renee Dominguez/FilmMagic

Ian West/PA Images via Getty; Renee Dominguez/FilmMagic

Katy Perryis leavingAmerican Idolin good hands.After the “Dark Horse” singer announced that season 22 of the singing competition show would be her last in February 2024, fans wondered who would replace her at the judge’s table. Then, in August,Carrie Underwoodannounced her return to the show — but this time as a judge.“She was born on that show. I think she knows how to steer it,” Perry — who recently announced herLifetimes Tour— tells PEOPLE of the “Before He Cheats” singer.The “Hot N Cold” performer, 40, adds, “She actually truly knows… What it feels like to be in their shoes. We could only metaphorically feel that as judges.“Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, And Ryan Seacrest.Disney/Eric McCandlessUnderwood won the fourth season of the singing competition show in 2005. Now, 20 years later, she’ll be sitting at the judges table withLuke BryanandLionel Richie.“As artists, we’ve been in some sort of their shoes, but she has lived every single day,” the “Firework” singer says. “So I think she’s going to have a lot to offer anyone that’s willing to listen.“Perryannounced her decisionto leave the show during an appearance onJimmy KimmelLivein February 2024. At the time, she explained that it was her time to move on and teased new music on the way.“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season forIdol.I mean I loveIdolso much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying Jimmy?““I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music,” Perry added.Shortly after her announcement, the “Hello” singer, 75, also appeared onJimmy Kimmel Liveand shared thathe wasn’t “mad” about Perry’s decision.Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images"The reason I love coming on the show with you and the reason I’m doingAmerican Idolis because I have 400 years of stories and a life in the music business. I have things that I’ve done. And so when Katy says, ‘I want to go and create some stories,' remember, she’s young. But the point is that you have to take some time and actually be an artist,” he said, adding that it “makes sense.“Meanwhile, in an April 2024 interview on the radio showTaste of Country Nights,Bryan, 48, admittedhe “had heard whispers that she was thinking about it — it wasn’t like a huge shock.““It’s been a good run with Katy, and she and I have developed a great friendship and to work alongside her,” he said.He also noted that he and the “Teenage Dream” singer plan to stay in touch afterIdolis over. “She knows that no matter what her next endeavors are, that she can pick up the phone and call me and check in and say hey,” Bryan said, adding that she can even come to him for “fishing advice.”

Katy Perryis leavingAmerican Idolin good hands.

After the “Dark Horse” singer announced that season 22 of the singing competition show would be her last in February 2024, fans wondered who would replace her at the judge’s table. Then, in August,Carrie Underwoodannounced her return to the show — but this time as a judge.

“She was born on that show. I think she knows how to steer it,” Perry — who recently announced herLifetimes Tour— tells PEOPLE of the “Before He Cheats” singer.

The “Hot N Cold” performer, 40, adds, “She actually truly knows… What it feels like to be in their shoes. We could only metaphorically feel that as judges.”

Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, And Ryan Seacrest.Disney/Eric McCandless

Disney/Eric McCandless

Underwood won the fourth season of the singing competition show in 2005. Now, 20 years later, she’ll be sitting at the judges table withLuke BryanandLionel Richie.

“As artists, we’ve been in some sort of their shoes, but she has lived every single day,” the “Firework” singer says. “So I think she’s going to have a lot to offer anyone that’s willing to listen.”

Perryannounced her decisionto leave the show during an appearance onJimmy KimmelLivein February 2024. At the time, she explained that it was her time to move on and teased new music on the way.

“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season forIdol.I mean I loveIdolso much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying Jimmy?”

“I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music,” Perry added.

Shortly after her announcement, the “Hello” singer, 75, also appeared onJimmy Kimmel Liveand shared thathe wasn’t “mad” about Perry’s decision.

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images

Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images

“The reason I love coming on the show with you and the reason I’m doingAmerican Idolis because I have 400 years of stories and a life in the music business. I have things that I’ve done. And so when Katy says, ‘I want to go and create some stories,' remember, she’s young. But the point is that you have to take some time and actually be an artist,” he said, adding that it “makes sense.”

Meanwhile, in an April 2024 interview on the radio showTaste of Country Nights,Bryan, 48, admittedhe “had heard whispers that she was thinking about it — it wasn’t like a huge shock.”

“It’s been a good run with Katy, and she and I have developed a great friendship and to work alongside her,” he said.

He also noted that he and the “Teenage Dream” singer plan to stay in touch afterIdolis over. “She knows that no matter what her next endeavors are, that she can pick up the phone and call me and check in and say hey,” Bryan said, adding that she can even come to him for “fishing advice.”

source: people.com