Katy Perry feels like a 'third wheel' in fellow 'American Idol' judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie's bromance
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Katy Perry has reportedly been feeling rather excluded in the wake of her sixth season of 'American Idol' alongside fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, sources have claimed. The singer first joined the franchise as a guest judge and made a splash during season 9. She later signed on for a full-time gig and has since become a fixture on the show.
Last summer, ABC announced that judges Katy, Luke, and Lionel -- alongside host Ryan Seacrest -- would return to lead the singing competition series in 2023. However, as the premiere episode of Season 21 aired on Sunday, February 19, show insiders have claimed the 'ET' hitmaker is feeling like a "third wheel" after being "bromanced out" of their group while filming the hit series.
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Inside jokes
"Katy says American Idol has turned into a boys' club with Luke and Lionel," one source told Radar Online. "They play pranks on each other and tell inside jokes."
It's worth noting that Lionel and Luke recently teamed up for the Crash My Playa concert event in Mexico this January, where they sang each other's praises. Luke called Lionel "one of the greatest human beings ever" and "one of my best friends in the world." The duo treated the audience with a live rendition of several all-time hits, including 'Easy' by The Commodores. "I want to do this song with you because I say every night in my show this is a song you like to sing," Lionel told Luke before the pair went on to perform his own single, 'Stuck on You'.
Public spats
Katy opened up last season about being in a couple of "real public spats" with her fellow judges over a difference of opinion regarding contestants. She noted that she held her own and stood by her vote. The 'Dark Horse' hitmaker admitted that she "didn't really agree with them" when it came to their thoughts on a few contestants last season. "Those boys, like, it's true, they may have been a little bullied by my direct, black-and-white yes or no [choices] these past seasons," she told Entertainment Tonight, recalling some of their spicier disagreements. "So they're like, 'Were not gonna take it anymore!'" the singer quipped.
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MEAWW previously reported how 'American Idol' fans slammed Katy's onscreen antics on the premiere episode of Season 21. From trying to recreate 50 Cent's iconic upside-down move from the Super Bowl to rolling on the floor declaring she doesn't need yet another "Luke Bryan" on the show, the judge's antics managed to rub the fans the wrong way.
'American Idol' Season 21 airs every Sunday at 8/7c on ABC.