Summary
Now that Katy Perry has exitedAmerican Idolafter seven seasons as a judge, there has been a lot of speculation about who should take her seat, andthe best choice would be an alum of the reality singing competition series. Katy was one of the originalAmerican Idoljudges alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan when ABC revived the show in 2018 after its 2016 cancelation by FOX. This is the first time that the judging panel has been changed since the show premiered on the network.
American Idolseason 23needs someone who can fill Katy’s shoes, and who better to do that than an alum of the show. Since 2002,American Idolhas discovered some of the greatest singers in the modern era, including season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson. She’d be perfect for the job, but she promised her children that she’d stay in New York City, and the show films in Los Angeles. However,there are ten otherAmerican Idolwinners and runners-up who’d be the ideal replacement for Katy.
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1Fantasia Barrino
American Idol Season 3 Winner
In an interview withET, American Idolseason 3 winnerFantasia shared that she’d"love"to take Katy’s placeon theAmerican Idoljudging panel. She said,“I think that those kids, when they’re coming into the game…I think that they need somebody to come in and not only show them how to sing a song but how to handle the business. Because it’s a lot.“Fantasia went on to say that she thinks theAmerican Idolcontestants need a judge who can help guide them through the music business. She’d be the perfect person to do that with her amazing talent and firsthand experience.
Fantasia explained that the contestantsshould have somebody to make sure that they have what they need and to guide them about which songs to sing.She also said that it’s important to get to know the contestantsand understand"their upbringing.“She added that the hopefuls should be asked,“What makes you want to sing? Why do you love this? Why do you want this?“She concluded by saying that she’d be up for it. Fantasia’s thoughtful concern about helping the contestants after the show in the music industry is a refreshing take on why she should be anAmerican Idoljudge.
2Ruben Studdard
American Idol Season 2 Winner
In an interview withE! News,American Idolseason 2 winnerRuben shared,“I would love it if they called me.“He added,“I think that in any way that I can go back and give advice to the young people that are going through the show, I do that readily, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to do that anytime.“In the kinder, gentler ABC era ofAmerican Idol, Ruben’s soft-spoken guidance is exactly what’s needed on the judging panel. It’s very sweet that he’s thankful when he’s asked to return to the show to give the contestants advice.
Ruben did a fantastic job duringAmerican Idolseason 20whenhe served as a Hollywood Week mentor for contestants in the R&B genre. His advice came from his direct experience on the show. Ruben also has experience with teaching from his time at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. This is important experience and expertise that would be a great asset to him as a judge. With his incredible talent and kind personality, he’d be an idealAmerican Idoljudge.
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3Jordin Sparks
American Idol Season 6 Winner
When Katy announced herAmerican Idolexit,Jordinimmediately expressed her interest in taking her seat. In an X post, theAmerican Idolseason 6 winner wrote,“Oh hiiii @AmericanIdol—I hear a seat opened up at the judges table!I’m putting my name in the hat!“Jordin was just 17 years old when she took home theAmerican Idolcrown, and she’s the youngest winner in history. She’d be a great asset to the younger contestants on the show, some of whom are only 15 years old.
Jordin returned as a mentor forAmerican Idolseasons 20 and 21 Hollywood Week. During season 20, she mentored the contestants in the pop genre, while in season 21, she guided the contestants who wanted to work on their stage presence. This was especially fitting for her because she lights up every stage she takes. With her sweet and bubbly personality,Jordin would do a wonderful jobas anAmerican Idoljudge.
4Clay Aiken
American Idol Season 2 Runner-Up
American Idolseason 2 runner-up Clay wants to take Katy’s place on the show, but he’d bring some realness to the judges' table, which he did whenhe served as a season 21 Hollywood Week mentor for the contestants who wanted to work on their songwriting. In an interview withE! News, he stated,“I would be tough.“Clay explained that there’s a difference between"being mean and being honest.“He recalled that he and his fellowAmerican Idolseason 2 contestants"appreciated"former judge Simon Cowell’s advice, and remembered using and applying the feedback from judges him, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, in the next week of the competition.
Clay continued,“We make ourselves better.“He added that maybe the"younger generations"could use"some constructive feedback, because I think the goal of Idol is to make sure that every kid who is on it improves and becomes as successful as Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard. That’s only possible if you really get constructive feedback.“Clay added,“You can’t be told, ‘Oh, that’s lovely’ every week. You made it to the top 12 because you are a lovely singer. Now, how can you improve each week?“The currentAmerican Idoljudging panel has been criticized for not critiquing the contestants enough, soClay would be a welcome changeto the show.
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5Carrie Underwood
American Idol Season 4 Winner
American Idolseason 4 winner Carrie is not only one of the most successful winners, but also one of the most celebrated country music artists of all time. She would be a phenomenal judge with her mind-blowing talent, intelligence, poise, and kindness.Carrie lovesAmerican Idoland always gives credit to the show for giving her her start in the music industry.
DuringAmerican Idolseason 20, Carrie served as a mentor for the Top 5 contestants, and they sang her songs. She became emotional when she met eventual winner Noah Thompson. She said thatAmerican Idolwas created for people like her and Noah who didn’t know that they could dream that big. Carrie added that it was a beautiful thing, and her decision to audition for the show changed her entire life.Carrie would make the perfectAmerican Idoljudgebecause, even after all of her successes, she’s still in awe of what the show can do for its contestants.
6Adam Lambert
American Idol Season 8 Runner-Up
American Idolseason 8 runner-up Adam turned the show on its head with his groundbreaking performances. He did things on the show that had never been seen before, and his performances are still revered as some of the best ever. As a judge,Adam could help theAmerican Idolcontestants to take risks and push boundariesto create some beautiful art on the show.
Adam has returned toAmerican Idolmultiple timessince skyrocketing to superstardom in 2009. He mentored duringAmerican Idolseasons 9, 13, and 17. ForAmerican Idolseason 17, he guided the contestants through Queen Night. Adam also filled in for judge Keith Urban during theAmerican Idolseason 14 New York City auditions. DuringAmerican Idolseason 21, Adam mentored the Top 12 during Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night.Each time Adam has returned to the show, he’s made a lasting impact on the contestants, which is why he’d make a fantastic judge.
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7Katharine McPhee
American Idol Season 5 Runner-Up
American Idolseason 5 runner-up Katharine became America’s sweetheart because of her stunning vocals, star quality, and her charming and funny personality. She’s not only a singer, but an actress as well, starring in many television shows and movies.Katharine is most at home on the stage, so she’d light upAmerican Idolseason 23.
DuringAmerican Idolseason 19,Katharine served as a Duet partner for contestants Alyssa Wray and the late Willie Spence, who ended up being the runner-up on the season. Although she has immense talent and could’ve dominated the performances, Katharine gave the contestants the spotlight and allowed them to shine. This is something that Katy was very good at doing as well, especially in her finale night performances. With her adorable personality and varied stage experiences,Katharine would be an ideal replacement for Katy.
8David Archuleta
American Idol Season 7 Runner-Up
American Idolseason 7 runner-up David was just 16 years old during hisAmerican Idolaudition. He knows what it’s like for young contestants to be thrown into the spotlight.DuringAmerican Idolseason 21 Hollywood Week, David did an excellent job mentoring the contestantswho wanted to work on their songwriting. He proved that he could be a source of support for the contestants.
Since his season ended,David has been on a journey of self-acceptance. In June 2021, David came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, which was very challenging for him because of his Mormon upbringing. In November 2022, David said that he identified as queer. As anAmerican Idoljudge,David could help the contestants to accept themselves for who they areand represent that on the stage. Being anAmerican Idoljudge would allow David to help other young contestants to navigate the complicated experience of living in the public eye, which is much-needed.
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9Maddie Poppe
American Idol Season 16 Winner
American Idolseason 16 winner Maddie Poppe was the first winner in the ABC era, soit would be interesting to have someone replace Katy on the judging panel who was actually discovered by her. Her more recent experience with the show would bring an interesting perspective. During her time onAmerican Idol, Maddie was known for her unique performances, which showcased her beautiful vocals and stellar stage presence.
Like Katy,Maddie has a fun and quirky personality. DuringAmerican Idolseason 17, she pranked Katy, Luke, and Lionel by auditioning as a goth contestant named Lady Mapo. She had a black wig and makeup, along with a matching black outfit. However, when she began to sing, she revealed that she was Maddie.American Idolcould use this kind of humor on the panel after Katy leaves, and Maddie would be the perfect person to fill that void.
10Justin Guarini
American Idol Season 1 Runner-Up
American Idolseason 1 runner-up Justin would make an exceptional judge because he became a successful Broadway star after the show. He’s starred in six shows, includingWomen on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown,American Idiot,Romeo and Juliet,Wicked,In Transit, andOnce Upon a One More Time. Along with his smooth vocals and charismatic stage presence,Justin has so much experience performing live. As a judge, he could offer advice to the contestants as they take the stage in front of the live audience.
DuringAmerican Idolseason 21 Hollywood Week,Justin served as a mentor for contestants who wanted to work on their stage presence. He was the perfect choice for this role, considering that he was one of the most entertaining contestants ever to appear on the show.Justin also has experiencewith coaching hopeful entertainers through his Audition Secrets program, with his one-to-one mentoring for actors and singers, especially those who want to audition for singing competition television shows. He’d be superb as the nextAmerican Idoljudge.
While it seems as though Katy is irreplaceable as anAmerican Idoljudge, someone will have to take her place, and an alum of the show would be the best person to do it. They have the experience necessary to help guide the contestants, and they know what it takes to be successful afterAmerican Idol. With so many of them expressing interest in the role,American Idolseason 23 needs an alum of the show to take Katy’s place.
American Idol
Cast
American Idol is a reality singing competition that adds to the international “Idol” brand, conceived initially in the U.K. as Pop Idol. Holding massive auditions across the U.S., American Idol invited several contestants to perform in front of a panel of judges that would determine whether or not they’d go on to future rounds for a chance at competing in the fully televised premiere of the show. Contestants are voted off each week by American participation via voting through various mediums, and the winner of the competition would be given a contract with a record label to secure a future as America’s next musical idol.
