While one of the “California Gurls” is crowned the winner of season 22 of “American Idol,” another closes her chapter on the ABC reality singing competition.
Abi Carter, a 21-year-old musician from Indio, was declared the victor on Sunday night's finale, the final episode of Katy Perry's seven seasons as a judge alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. The pop star announced in February that he would be leaving his position as a judge to focus on other artistic projects.
During the finale, Perry was sent off with a performance of her classics – “Teenage Dream,” “California Gurls” and “Dark Horse” – by the “Idol” contestants.
Wearing a dress decorated with more than 100 cutouts of “Idol” competitors’ faces, Perry also took the stage one last time to sing “What Makes a Woman” with third-place finisher Jack Blocker. She told the crowd, “143, I love you,” as butterfly confetti floated in the air. The phrase refers to the number of letters in each word of the phrase “I love you.”
On X, formerly known as Twitter, Perry shared a short message after the show: “There it is… 7 years.”
Richie called Perry's departure “bittersweet” because the show would lose “one of the creators” of its run on ABC, which began in 2018.
When announcing her departure to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel in February, the “Firework” singer said she appreciated her time on the reality competition show.
“I love 'Idol,'” Perry said. “It has connected me to the heart of America, but I need to get out and feel the pulse of my own heartbeat.”
While on the show, Perry mentored emerging talents such as “Idol” winners Noah Thompson and Chayce Beckham from seasons 20 and 19, respectively. She came under fire for allegedly “mommy-shaming” contestant Sara Beth Liebe, who then left the show to spend time with her children despite Perry's plea for her to stay.
Last year, Perry made waves for condemning gun violence in the United States after “Idol” contestant Trey Louis shared during his audition that he survived the 2018 mass shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas, which killed eight students and two teachers.
As she looks ahead to a new era in her life, Perry hinted at big plans that will make 2024 “a very, very exciting year for all the pop stars.”
“I love the show, but I want to go see the world and bring new music,” he said. “Maybe I'll come back if they accept me one day.”
