Katy Perry Says This Season Will Be Her Last As A Judge On ‘American Idol’

The new season of ‘American Idol‘ is set to premiere this Sunday (Feb 18) on ABC, and judge Katy Perry just made sure the premiere will score some solid ratings by shocking everyone during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

At the end of her interview, Perry revealed this will be her last season on the show.

Well, you know, this fall, this September, I’m going to be doing this huge music festival in Brazil called Rock in Rio. So I think this will probably be my last season for Idol. I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America. But I need to feel that pulse of my own beat.

Both the audience and Kimmel seemed shocked by this announcement. There were even some gasps from the crowd. Kimmel asked how Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan were handling the news, and Perry replied, ‘They’ll find out tonight,” although she later seemed to hint that they kinda already know, so it shouldn’t be a complete surprise.

She talked about how much time she’s been spending in the recording studio lately, so it sounds like she’s going to drop a new album this fall or next year, which means she’ll likely go on tour to promote it, preventing her from filming Idol.

Looks like the search for a new judge will start soon. I bet they’ll try to convince one of their past Idols to return. Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson have already been grabbed by The Voice, but maybe Carrie Underwood?