Katy Perry was overcome with emotion during the final episode of American Idol, which aired on Sunday.
The Teenage Dream singer, who became a judge on the singing competition in 2018, was visibly present at various parts of the night from the first moment she entered the set with fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. He seemed to be emotional and teary-eyed. lastly.
She took to the American Idol stage for her final performance, singing her song “What Makes a Woman” alongside finalist Jack Blocker. Midway through her song, her platform lifted her high above the stage, revealing that the long skirt of her dress was emblazoned with the faces of the contestants she had judged over the past seven seasons.
Katy, 39, was also honored with a tribute medley performance by the top 12 women, who sang her hits “Teenage Dream,” “Dark Horse” and “California Girls.”
The pop star cried at the end of the show as she watched new champion Abbi Carter sing Billie Eilish's emotional ballad 'What Was I Made For?'. As confetti fell and the end credits played, Lionel cried and hugged Katie.
After the show, Katy shared a photo of the performance on Instagram and simply wrote, “This is…7 years (emotional face) #Idol.”
In an interview with ABC seven days before the season finale, the Roar hitmaker predicted tears.
“I think I’m going to cry about everything,” she said. “It's been an amazing journey. I love watching the kids grow and become this big beautiful patchwork quilt.”
Katy announced her departure from American Idol during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! During February.
“It connected me to the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel its pulse to my own beat,” she explained. “I love this show so much, but I want to go out and see it and bring new music to the world.”