Yahoo News American Idol announces substitute judges filling in for Katy Perry and Lionel Richie
American Idol has announced its substitute judges for this weekend’s show following Katy Perry’s and Lionel Richie’s withdrawals.
The judging pair are absent from this weekend’s show due to the coronation of King Charles III, but that hasn’t stopped producers from signing up music royalty as replacements.
As per Entertainment Weekly, Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran will guest judge for the episode on Sunday (May 7), with the former serving as a mentor to the remaining contestants as they perform her songs.
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Sheeran’s discography will also come into focus, with the finalists teaming up to perform duets of his best-known songs. Morissette and Sheeran will also perform on the stage during the show, with both Perry and Richie appearing via a video call for the show.
Perry was recently in some hot water for the current series of American Idol, with the singer making a quip at the expense of Sara Beth Liebe appearing to reference the fact she was a young mum.
The contestant subsequently left the competition in order to spend more time with her family, saying: “This opportunity is really rad, but this is actually gonna be my last performance 'cause my heart's at home. So I'm gonna get home to my babies. They kinda need me. So thank you.”
Related: American Idol contestant Kenedi Anderson drops out of the show
Liebe addressed Perry’s comments in a TikTok video, in which she said: “While I was on the show, there was a 'joke' that was made that's got some attention.
“Katy Perry made a joke that wasn't super kind. It was embarrassing to have that on TV and it was hurtful. I think that women supporting and uplifting other women is so cool, and I think that mum-shaming is super lame,” she explained.
Digital Spy has reached out to Perry's representatives for comment, and she has not yet publicly addressed the incident.
American Idol airs on ABC.
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