Luke Bryan on What’s Ahead for ‘American Idol’ After Katy Perry’s Exit

Just over a month ago, Katy Perry offered her farewell to American Idol after spending seven seasons as a judge on the singing competition. Perry revealed in February that she would be leaving the show, and since then, there has been plenty of speculation about who might take over the role for Idol‘s 23rd season.

In speaking with Billboard recently, Perry’s fellow American Idol judge Luke Bryan noted that a few artists’ names have been floated as potential candidates for the role.

“I’ve said several names. I think P!nk has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks,” Bryan says.

Notably, P!nk has previously said that she is hesitant to take on the role of judge on American Idol, telling Entertainment Tonight, “I don’t like hurting people’s feelings … I like my day job.”

Meanwhile, Trainor said during an interview on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, “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 who don’t really have the final say … but I have begged for this job … it’s my favorite show — I’ve watched it since I was a child.”

The 22nd season of Idol — which featured judges Bryan, Perry and Lionel Richie along with host Ryan Seacrest — wrapped May 19, with Abi Carter being crowned the winner.

Bryan, a two-time CMA entertainer of the year winner, also adds that he is still waiting to hear who the judges will be for the upcoming 23rd season of American Idol.

“It’s been interesting,” the country star says. “It’s been something Disney been really tightlipped about with me and Lionel and Ryan. 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.”

Billboard reached out to representatives for American Idol, who declined to comment. In general, judges for new seasons of Idol have been revealed later in the summer.

Bryan launched his role as a judge on American Idol during its 16th season, the same season that Perry and Richie joined as judges. Bryan tells Billboard of Perry, “Katy was really perfect for that job, and I think they’re just working real hard to find somebody that can really come in and do the job that Katy did.”

For her part, Perry recently revealed new music is coming, with “Woman’s World” set to drop July 11. The song is from her upcoming album, which will follow her 2020 album Smile.

Meanwhile, Bryan is celebrating the upcoming 10-year milestone of his Crash My Playa event, which will welcome Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Dustin Lynch and more in 2025.