To mark the end of her stint as a judge, the singer donned a dress adorned with images of 168 past contestants.
Katy Perry ended her run on American Idol in style, showcasing two unique outfits to commemorate her time on the show. During the season 22 finale, the 39-year-old singer donned a stunning silver corset dress with a large skirt featuring the faces of 168 former contestants from the show’s top 24 in each of the seven seasons she judged. Perry stood tall on a platform, revealing the intricate ensemble while performing with third-place contestant Jack Blocker.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Perry explained that she wanted to honor her time on the show by including all the top 24 contestants from each season on her skirt, creating a fun surprise as she raised up on the platform. Captioning an Instagram post of her finale look with “There it is… 7 years,” Perry shared a video of a team carrying the elaborate dress into the studio.
During the American Idol finale, Katy Perry sported a special gold breastplate featuring seven 3D roses, symbolizing the seven seasons she spent on the show. She paired the top with a long white skirt, creating a heartfelt and unique look for the event. The emotional singer shed tears and shared hugs with judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie as Abi Carter took home the title, performing a moving rendition of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” Carter emerged victorious over finalists Will Moseley and Jack Blocker, who came in second and third place.
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The famous “California Girls” singer, Katy Perry, signed on as a judge for American Idol in 2018, alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, as the show was brought back to ABC after its original run on Fox for 15 seasons.
In February 2024, after seven seasons on the show, Perry revealed her departure on Jimmy Kimmel Live! She hinted at upcoming projects, including new music, later in the year.
During the show, Perry expressed her love for American Idol but shared that this season would likely be her last. She mentioned feeling the need to follow her own rhythm and hinted at truly experiencing the beat of her own drum.