Katy Perry Circling ‘American Idol?’
TMZ, The Hollywood Reporter and numerous other outlets are reporting that Katy Perry is in active talks to sign on as a judge on ABC’s upcoming revival of American Idol, set to premiere in 2018. Landing a star of Perry’s wattage would mark the reboot’s first on-camera personality, as negotiations continue over whether Ryan Seacrest will be able to reprise his old hosting gig on top of his other duties with Live With Kelly and Ryan and his radio show.
As THR reports, “The very suggestion that Perry would serve as a judge confirms that ABC isn’t doing any sort of low-budget American Idol. A-list talent is still considered the linchpin on flagship reality series, though the costs of said talent are chief among the reasons that can make them difficult to keep on the air. Salaries for Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Seacrest are what made the original American Idol a money pit in its later years, ultimately leading to the 2015 decision to make its 15th season its final one.”
Perry has previously guest judged on the U.K. version of The X-Factor, but reports say she has previously passed on multiple eight-figure offers to join NBC’s The Voice. Hey, and speaking of The Voice, as we reported last week, the new of Idol‘s return was immediately followed by two of its most-celebrated alums, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson, joining The Voice as coaches. ABC, which plans to launch the new American Idol in early 2018, is said to be trying to lock in as many details as possible before today’s meet-up with media buyers in New York. The show will be one of the biggest selling points for the network’s coming season.
