Luke Bryan is hinting at potential replacements for Katy Perry as a judge on American Idol.
In a recent interview with Billboard published on Monday, July 1, Bryan, 47, mentioned several names that have been discussed:
“I’ve said several names. I think Pink has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks.”
Bryan noted that the process of selecting a new judge has been “interesting,” adding, “It’s been something Disney has been really tightlipped about with me, Lionel [Richie], and Ryan [Seacrest].
We currently haven’t heard what the story is on who’s coming back, and if Lionel and I are coming back. I think Disney is just trying to figure out what they want to do and we’re just kind of sitting back and waiting until they decide.”
He continued, “I think they’re just working real hard to find somebody that can really come in and do the job that Katy did.”
Cyrus, 31, has relevant experience as she was a coach on The Voice during seasons 11 and 13. Pink, 44, has expressed reluctance to take over Perry’s role after her season 22 exit from the competition, stating in an interview with Entertainment Tonight in June, “I don’t like hurting people’s feelings … I like my day job.”
Trainor, 30, expressed her enthusiasm for the role during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.
She described the position as her “dream job” and mentioned, “I’ve done every interview in the world and said that that is my dream job, and I have emailed three awesome people who work in that world.
I have begged for this job. I haven’t heard any updates, so check my emails, but that is my dream job. I want to drive to work [on] American Idol and then drive home.”
Perry, 39, hinted at her departure from American Idol during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in February.
She joined the judging panel in season 16 in 2018 and said, “I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol. I mean, I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with, like, the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying?”
After hinting that Bryan and Richie, 75, were unaware of her decision at the time, Perry added, “Well, they’ll find out tonight. They know that I have some things planned for this year.”
In an interview with Taste of Country in April, Bryan indicated that Perry’s decision did not come as a surprise. He said, “I had heard whispers that she was thinking about it – it wasn’t like a huge shock. I think she kinda just got caught up in the moment with [Jimmy] Kimmel and maybe announced that she was done.”
