Katy Perry Officially Signs On as ‘American Idol’ Judge
Katy Perry's angling for her own moment like this: She'll officially be a judge on ABC's forthcoming reboot of American Idol, she announced today (May 16) via Twitter.
"SO thrilled @ABCNetwork is bringing back @AmericanIdol, and I’m bringing it back to the MUSIC," she wrote with the announcement.
ABC announced on May 9 that it had outbid FOX to revive the series, which aired for 15 seasons before an ultimate cancellation in 2015. The show launched the careers of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and even host Ryan Seacrest.
Perry is Season 16's first official judge.
Clarkson was rumored to have been considering a spot on the new Idol judges' panel, but shot a hole through the rumors when she announced that she will join Season 14 of The Voice. Still, Ryan Seacrest noted on an episode of Live! that he's considering a role-reprisal as Idol host.
“I don’t know about that part yet, we haven’t gotten that far,” he said, but noted his new job’s parent company would make the gig easier. “I said, ‘Well, that’s kind of good to know, I work here!'”
ABC noted in a press release it can't wait to bring the show back — it'll likely return in 2018.
“American Idol is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon,” ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said, according to Entertainment Weekly. “ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams.”
10 Defining American Idol Moments From Season 1: