It is the tip of an period for Katy Perry! The 39-year-old pop star mentioned goodbye to American Idol on Sunday evening in a tearful sendoff through the present’s season finale.
The tears started on the very begin of the episode as Perry was already choked up the second she hit the stage.
Her moments of emotion led to her efficiency within the third hour of Sunday’s massive finale, the place she took the stage with third-place finalist Jack Blocker for a shocking duet of her single “What Makes a Girl.”
As Perry carried out reverse Blocker, they had been each elevated above the stage, and Perry’s putting gown unfurled as she rose within the air, revealing that it was adorned with the portrait pictures of each American Idol hopeful this season.
The efficiency was met with a roaring cheer from the gang and a tearful Perry smiled as she raised her arms above her head and made a coronary heart together with her palms.
Later within the episode, the women of the High 12 — together with Abi Carter, Emmy Russell, Jayna Elise, Julia Gagnon, Kaibrienne “KB” Richins, McKenna Breinholt and Mia Matthews — got here collectively on stage for a musical tribute to Perry, singing a medley of a few of her largest hits.
The singers gave it their all as they belted out “Teenage Dream,” “Darkish Horse” and “California Gurls,” and Perry was absolutely standing on the judges’ desk and cheering for them by the point the medley got here to an finish.
Earlier than the present kicked off, Perry took to Instagram to provide followers a sneak peek at her finale ensemble, which included a form-molded golden prime adorned with seven metallic roses.
“7 roses for 7 seasons,” Perry captioned the slideshow publish.
It has been seven years since Perry first began as a choose on the hit music competitors collection. Throughout that point she has labored alongside fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, in addition to host Ryan Seacrest.
Perry has been getting ready for her exit all season, beforehand telling ET, “I’m at all times emotional on finale, however gosh when this finale comes, I higher simply tape the false lashes to my face.”
Seacrest additionally advised ET forward of Perry’s final episode, “She’s gonna carry out, we’re gonna rejoice her all evening. Then afterwards, I eat fish and greens — so she’s taking us for steak… It is a celebratory evening, proper?”
“It has been a incredible seven years together with her, so unhappy to see her go,” he added. “Everyone knows one another very, very nicely. The judges have such a tremendous chemistry however the present, by way of its existence, has at all times developed into the subsequent chapter and we’re gonna do it once more.”
Previous to the ultimate episode airing, Perry teased her post-show plans to ET.Â
“I am gonna keep current and take all of it in after which have just a little after-party and Luke [Bryan] and I’ll lastly drink. After seven years, we’ll actually drink,” she shared.Â
Bryan additionally teased, “It is going to be emotional. We have had, gosh, seven years, spending a lot time collectively. Me and her and Lionel, we have all leaned on one another… It will be just a little robust understanding that she’s not going to be there.”
Perry additionally spoke about why she determined to depart the competitors present after seven years.Â
“I am simply attempting to create space for different issues,” she defined to ET. “It is not like me ending this present means I’ll go retire on an island, although that may be fabulous. I am gonna go to work.”
May a part of that “work” be the elusive KP6 she lately teased on Instagram?
“You will study extra when it is able to launch,” Perry mentioned of her rumored new music.Â
Since her time on the present started, Perry and longtime accomplice, Orlando Bloom, welcomed their now-3-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove.Â
The present has but to announce her superstar alternative, although loads of recommendations have been thrown out there. Final month, Idol alum Fantasia Barrino advised ET she would “love” to take Perry’s spot as one of many three judges, 20 years after she received the present herself. Bryan additionally was smitten by Meghan Trainor presumably taking the gig after the singer lent her experience as a coach.
“I feel Meghan’s at all times been actual enjoyable. You understand, that is kinda been her model, to have enjoyable,” Bryan shared with ET. “[She’s] actual witty, so actually.”
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