It appears American Idol might be replacing more than Katy Perry ahead of the new season-as Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan’s fates are also up in the air as producers are left panicking about the show’s ratings.
Fans have been clamoring for information on who would replace Perry, who left the show after seven years to focus on her career as an artist, with new favorites emerging every day.
However, her departure has also led to speculation over the fates of her fellow judges, Luke Bryan, 48, and Lionel Richie, 75.
The pair joined with Perry to form the judges’ panel when the show was revived by ABC in 2018, but have since shared concerns that the show might try to “shake things up” by getting rid of them.
Now, despite fans expressing anger over the possibility, it is seeming more likely that they may be out of jobs, as producers are feeling the pressure to make major changes following the show’s slipping ratings.
According to Life & Style magazine, the two are potentially on the chopping block because viewership has dropped considerably from the rebooted show’s debut a few years ago, with numbers down to just 5.6 million last year.
With the big drop, the eight-figure salaries the two command may not be as justifiable.
“Producers are panicked over the ratings slide and are debating whether to give American Idol a complete facelift with a whole new panel. Katy opened the door for that by quitting!” a source told the publication.
“There is a feeling Idol needs to get younger and draw a younger audience. Lionel is the oldest judge the show has ever had.”
Bryan may have also landed in hot water by chatting publicly about some of the people who are being brought in as potential replacements for Perry, and producers aren’t happy because they like keeping that stuff under wraps.
If the two are also replaced, it would be the first time the judge panel has changed since the show’s days on FOX.
The original version saw significant turnover at the judges table over the years. After starting off with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, only Jackson remained after the 9th season. He stayed through the 12th season, and was partnered with Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban in various combinations during that time.
Prior to its cancellation on Fox, Lopez, Urban and Harry Connick Jr. took over the judges panel through Season 15.
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