Katy Perry is leaving 'American Idol' amid 'very exciting year'

Perry out.

Katy Perry is leaving "American Idol" after seven seasons. She surprised fans on Monday's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" by casually revealing her exit.

"I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for 'Idol,'" she said, responding to a question from Jimmy Kimmel about how long she plans to stay on "Idol." "I mean, I love 'Idol' so much. I know. It's connected me with the heart of America. But I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat. You know what I'm saying, Jimmy?"

When asked what Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, her fellow judges on the show, think about her plans, Perry indicated that she had not yet told them.

"Well, they'll find out tonight," she quipped.

After Kimmel expressed surprise at this, Perry added that Richie and Bryan "know" in that they were aware she has "some things planned for this year," including performing at the Rock in Rio music festival in Brazil.

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"It's going to be a very, very exciting year, Jimmy, for all pop star girlies," Perry teased. "Let's just say I'm creating space for my new wingspan."

She went on to tell Kimmel, who admitted he was "taken aback" by the news, that she has "been in the studio for a while" and wants to leave "American Idol" so she can "go and see the world and maybe bring new music."

Perry is back for the 22nd season of "American Idol," which premieres on ABC on Feb. 18. She has been with the singing competition show since Season 16, which debuted in 2018.

Perry's exit has not been officially confirmed by ABC, and she told Kimmel that "maybe I'll come back if they have me one day." USA TODAY reached out to ABC representatives for comment.

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In 2023, Perry concluded a concert residency in Las Vegas that began in 2021. She teased to "Good Morning America" in August that she was working on writing new music. Her most recent studio album, "Smile," debuted in August 2020.

When Kimmel ended the interview by reiterating that this will be Perry's "farewell season" on "Idol," she initially seemed slightly reluctant to commit to that.

"I think so," she said. "Yes, it will."