American Idol is an American singing competition TV series created in 2002 by Simon Fuller and hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Katy Perry joined the series as a judge in 2018 for the sixteenth season, alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Prior to this, it ran for fifteen seasons on Fox from 2002 to 2016 with a variety of different judges. Before her stint as a judge, Perry also appeared on the show twice in 2009 and 2010. She departed the show in 2024 after seven seasons.
Season 8[]
Perry appeared in the Top 3 episode of season 8, aired on May 12, 2009, to perform "Waking Up in Vegas". At the end of her performance, she revealed a cape with Adam Lambert, who was a contestant in that season, written on it, which she later referenced in an episode of season 21.
Season 9[]
In 2010, Perry appeared in the fifth episode of the ninth season as a guest judge during the audition rounds, alongside permanent judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, and Randy Jackson.
Season 16[]
Season 16 of American Idol premiered on March 11, 2018 on ABC, introducing Perry as one of the show's new judges. Three contestants who were denied by the judges were given a second chance to be a contestant on the show; the winner was announced by Lionel Richie on Dancing With the Stars. It ran until May 21, 2018, when the season finale aired. The season consisted of nineteen episodes. In this season, Perry performed "When You Wish Upon a Star" with the remaining contestants of the season in the Top 10 week. In the finale episode, she performed "Part of Me" with Catie Turner, one of the contestants. Maddie Poppe was crowned the winner of season 16.
Season 17[]
Season 17 premiered on March 3, 2019 and concluded on May 19, 2019. The season consisted of nineteen episodes. In the finale episode, Perry performed "Con Calma" with Daddy Yankee and "Unconditionally" with contestant Jeremiah Lloyd Harmon. Laine Hardy was crowned the winner of season 17.
Season 18[]
Season 18 premiered on February 16, 2020. However, the show's production was suspended after the reveal of the Top 19 contestants because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Taping resumed in April 2020, and the season ended on May 17, 2020. Perry performed "Daisies" in the finale episode. Just Sam was crowned the winner of season 18.
Season 19[]
Season 19 premiered on February 14, 2021, with adjustments to the typical format. In-person auditions were limited to only three cities, whereas special custom-built Zoom call technology was used for remote auditions across the country. The season concluded on May 23, 2021, with Perry performing "Thinking of You" with contestant Hunter Metts. Chayce Beckham was crowned the winner of season 19.
Season 20[]
Season 20 premiered on February 27, 2022, with the same virtual audition method as the previous season. This season introduced the "platinum ticket", which the judges could award to three potential contestants during the audition rounds to advance them directly to the second round of Hollywood Week and allow them to have first choice at partners for their duets. the season ended on May 22, 2022, with Perry performing "Where We Started" with Thomas Rhett and "Firework" with contestant Leah Marlene. Noah Thompson was crowned the winner of season 20.
Season 21[]
Season 21 premiered on February 19, 2023, keeping the virtual audition method and platinum tickets in place. In addition to the three platinum tickets given by the judges, a fourth platinum ticket was awarded to another auditionee via the American Music Awards. The season concluded on May 21, 2023, with Perry performing "I Still Need You" and "By the Grace of God" with contestant Haven Madison. Iam Tongi was crowned the winner of season 21.
Season 22[]
Season 22 premiered on February 18, 2024. Prior to the season's premiere, Perry announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that this would be her final season on the show, teasing her sixth studio album in her announcement. Perry's sister and mother, Angela Hudson and Mary Hudson, appeared as guests during the audition episodes. This season added three more audition locations, being each of the judge's hometowns; these cities were Leesburg, Georgia (Bryan's hometown), Tuskegee, Alabama (Richie's hometown), and Santa Barbara, California (Perry's hometown). The season concluded on May 19, 2024, with Perry performing "You've Got a Friend in Me" with Bryan, Richie, and Seacrest, and "What Makes a Woman" with contestant Jack Blocker. Abi Carter was crowned the winner of season 22.
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