Lionel Richie Says He's 'Not Mad' About Katy Perry's Decision to Leave American Idol: 'You Need to Take Some Time and Actually Be an Artist'
After nearly seven seasons on the jury alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, Katy Perry announced that she will likely leave American Idol at the end of season 22.
With just a few days left to process the pop star's decision, Richie is now considering what he thinks about her departure after working side-by-side since the reality competition show was rebooted on ABC for season 16 in 2018.
“I'm not mad,” the Stuck On You crooner said during a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, before joking, “I just went off track when I first heard about it.”
He added: “My phone blew up” when Perry's announcement was made public, before revealing the news had not been told in advance.
Riche, 74, went on to talk about how he completely understands why she would want to leave, as she is only 39 and has a lot more story to tell from the songwriting and performance lexicon.
Lionel Richie, 74, Says He's 'Not Mad' About Katy Perry Leaving American Idol After the Current Season 22, Because She's Only 39 and Has a Lot More 'Story to Tell' as a Pop Star
“I'm not mad,” the Stuck On You crooner said during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday, before joking, “I just got off track when I first heard about it.”
“No, we didn't know anything about it, but it makes sense,” the All Night Long star said of Perry's announcement on Kimmel's talk show on Monday.
He continued. “In other words, the reason I love coming on the show with you and the reason I do American Idol is because I have 400 years of stories and a life in the music business. I have things I've done.'
After citing the experience it takes to be a credible and knowledgeable judge, Richie reiterated that this is why it's time for her to leave and become a pop star again.
“And so when Katy says, 'I want to start creating some stories,' remember, she's young. But the point is that you have to take the time and actually be an artist.'
Perry is walking away from a huge salary that pays her as much as $25 million per season, according to a number of publications including Taste of the country.
That makes her the second-highest paid judge in franchise history, behind Simon Cowell, whose deal paid him $36 million.
Her current colleagues earn a nice payday, but it's significantly less: Richie reportedly makes $10 million per season and Bryan $12 million.
Perry's $25 million, which is due to her enormous popularity with fans, is even more than other major stars who have been on the jury, such as Jennifer Lopez ($17.5 million) and Marian Carey ($18 million).
Riche says he completely understands why Perry would want to leave, considering she's only 39 and has a lot more to say from the songwriting and performance lexicon.
The Firework star leaves behind $25 million per season for American Idol
Richie claims he has no idea who the Firework star's replacement will be, although there has already been talk of Miley Cyrus as some bosses' choice.
No matter who gets the job, the Hello singer-songwriter thinks that person will have to come up with a lot of stories of their own.
“I'm telling you something, this is a great show,” the Tuskegee, Alabama native said. 'And what I love most is that we're artists, so we know what we're talking about, and these kids are terrified, so I love sitting there like the wise poop-bahs, the three of us, and we sit there and we all provide information that we know is real.
He continued, “So whoever comes on the show, to get past Katy, they have to be forever humorous, and also knowledgeable,” the Tuskegee, Alabama native said.
As for Perry herself, the singer says she plans to “see the world and maybe bring new music,” but she left the door open for a possible return to American Idol in the future.