SINCE the announcement of Katy Perry’s departure, American Idol fans have put in their two cents on which A-list celeb should replace her.
The pop music sensation revealed she was leaving the singing competition series in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel earlier this year to focus on her music career.
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Earlier this year, Katy Perry revealed she would not be returning as a judge on American Idol next seasonCredit: Disney
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A few fans thought Celine Dion would be good for the jobCredit: Getty
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Paul Abdul (a former Idol judge) attended The Queerties in March 2024Credit: Getty
Katy, 39, has been a judge on American Idol for seven seasons alongside Lionel Richie, 74, and Luke Bryan, 47.
In a recent interview with Billboard, Luke gave ABC some A-list names to consider when looking for the Dark Horse singer’s replacement.
“I’ve said several names. I think P!nk has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks,” he said.
In several online forums, Idol fans revealed their top picks on who they want to see in the judge’s chair next season.
PAULA ABDUL
Paula, 62, is no stranger to American Idol as she was a part of the original three judges with Randy Jackson, 68, and Simon Cowell, 64.
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Paula Abdul attended the Lupus LA’s Stories Under The Stars at NeueHouse Hollywood on April 27, 2023Credit: Getty
She starred on the show from 2002 to 2009.
However, she temporarily returned as a guest judge in 2021 to replace Luke as he tested positive for Covid-19 and was unable to attend filming.
In an online Reddit forum, fans thought the Straight Up performer would be a good fit.
“Yeah she’s got nostalgia, she’s seasoned, she’s a dancer, she’s a pop singer, a sensation,” one wrote.
A second said, “Yes please!”
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CELINE DION
Fans have been begging for Celine, 56, to take a seat at the judge’s table.
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Celine Dion attended the premiere of her documentary I Am: Celine DionCredit: Splash
However, it isn’t the first time the My Heart Will Go On hitmaker took the Idol stage.
In 2007, she sang If I Can Dream with the late Elvis Presley using a hologram in front of millions of viewers at home.
Fans want these celebs on American Idol
Katy Perry announced on Jimmy Kimmel that she was leaving American Idol
Check out the celebs that fans want to replace Katy.
P!nk
Taylor Swift
Jennifer Lopez
Meghan Trainor
Paula Abdul
Demi Lovato
Celine Dion
Lizzo
Alanis Morissette
Kelly Clarkson
Miley Cyrus
Ed Sheeran
In a Reddit thread, one fan suggested Celine be the replacement with another writing, “That would be an awesome one! Though, it would be hard on her with [Stiff Person Syndrome].”
In 2022, Celine announced that she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome which causes pain and muscle spasms that worsen over the years.
JENNIFER LOPEZ
Jennifer, 54, is also no stranger to the reality TV series as she was a judge on Seasons 11, 13, 14, and 15.
She sat alongside stars including Steven Tyler, 76; Harry Connick Jr., 56; and Keith Urban, 56.
In a Reddit forum dedicated to American Idol, fans were eager to get the wife of Ben Affleck, 51, back on the show.
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In June, Jennifer Lopez attended the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2024-2025 show in Paris, FranceCredit: Getty
One wrote, “Watch for Jennifer Lopez’s return.”
Another replied, “I feel like we gotta get back JLo- she’s less kooky and gave great advice.”
In February, a source told Daily Mail, “J.Lo will be asked to come back. When people come back, things work.
“People like nostalgia, and people like Jen. It would be a big get to get her back.”
DEMI LOVATO
Former Disney Channel actor Demi, 31, has also been talked about in American Idol forums.
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Demi Lovato attends the Vanity Fair Oscar’s after-party in March 2024Credit: Getty
Throughout the 2010s, Demi has appeared on the singing show alongside special guests.
In 2010, Demi and Joe Jonas, 34, sang Make A Wave, a song created for Disney’s environmental charity at the time called Disney’s Friends for Change.
Two years later in 2012, the star sang their hit song Give Your Heart A Break then returned in 2014 and performed Really Don’t Care and Neon Lights.
Fans were eager to see Demi possibly return as a full-time judge.
One person wrote, “I think she would make a great judge in the show. She’s been around for years. She done multiple genres. She has so much range.
“She would kill it in the show.”
A second echoed, “I was going to suggest Demi as well. Good choice.”
MEGHAN TRAINOR
Meghan, 30, has voiced her love for American Idol throughout the year as she appeared on the show to mentor the contestants.
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Meghan Trainor poses for a selfie for the American Idol Instagram accountCredit: Instagram/americanidol
In a recent interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she was eager to be a judge.
“I’ve done every interview in the world and said that that is my dream job and I have emailed three awesome people who work in that world,” she said.
The All About That Bass singer did reveal that her contacts “don’t really have the full say but I begged.
“I haven’t heard any updates, so check my emails, but that is my dream job. I want to drive to work at American Idol and then drive home.”
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Idol host Ryan Seacrest, 49, admitted that Meghan would be a good fit.
“Meghan is a super talent too, and she’s got a great sense of humor. She’s fun and she’s spontaneous,” Ryan revealed.
In an online forum, several fans agreed with Ryan.
“I think she would be great,” one said.
Another said, “She’s a pop singer, which fills that category in the judging panel. I think she would be a good choice to replace Katy.”
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Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie posed for photographers during a taping of American IdolCredit: Getty
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Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, and Harry Connick Jr. onstage at Fox’s American Idol Season 15 Finale in 2016Credit: Getty
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Paula Abdul, Katy Perry, and Randy Jackson on the set of American IdolCredit: Getty
