With Katy Perry’s days on American Idol numbered, many fans are speculating who will take her place on the judge’s panel next season. Among those who want to be on the shortlist are two former winners.
Earlier this year, Perry announced she was leaving the show after Season 22 ends. “I think this probably will be my last show, my last season of Idol,” she stated. “I mean, I love Idol so much.”
“It’s connected me with, like, the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you know what I’m saying?”
Former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks showed interest in possibly replacing Katy Perry on the show.
Almost immediately after Perry announced her departure plans, Sparks declared on X (formerly Twitter), “Oh hiiii [American Idol] – I hear a seat opened up at the judges table! I’m putting my name in the hat!”
According to Us Weekly, Sparks was dubbed the youngest contestant ever to win American Idol at the age of 17.
‘American Idol’ Winner Fantasia Barrino Shares Her Thoughts About Potentially Replacing Katy Perry As Judge
Fellow American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino also showed some interest in taking over for Katy Perry on the show.
During the TIME 100 Gala last week, Barrino told Entertainment Tonight’s Rachel Smith that while she didn’t know that Perry was planning to step away from American Idol, she wouldn’t say no to producers calling her to be on the judge’s panel next season.
“I’m gonna be honest, I would love to,” Barrino declared about being an American Idol judge. “I think that those kids, when they’re coming into the game, I think that they need somebody to come in and not only show them how to sing a song, but how to handle the business because it’s a lot.”
Barrino also said she would be someone for the contestants to go to. “Just having somebody to say, ‘Hey, make sure you have this, make sure you have that. OK, sing this song, sing that song.’”
“Getting to know them, their upbringing, what makes you want to sing, why do you love this, why do you want this? So I would love to do it. I would be up for it.”
Barrino said this year is a big milestone for her, as it has been 20 years since she won her season of American Idol. She won the show in 2004 at the age of 19.
Since then, she has won a Grammy as well as multiple Billboard Music Awards. She has been nominated for awards in both singing and acting as well.