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Why did Katy Perry reject Payton Riley? 'American Idol' Season 22 fume over next Taylor Swift's elimination

'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Payton Riley pens a song after a heartbreak

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA: 'American Idol' Season 22 contestant Payton Riley performed her original song, 'Fireflies.' The 15-year-old aspiring singer dedicated her song to her ex-boyfriend with whom she recently parted ways. Payton described her vibe as 'Christian & Country Songs'. She claimed that she wrote the song without anyone's help after her breakup to cope with the heartbreak.

Payton tearfully performed the song but failed to convince Katy Perry. The ABC show judge rejected Payton because she was very young and needed more practice. Katy said, "I think that you are really talented. You're a really good songwriter." She added, "And if you're doing this at 15, you are onto something. I would say keep singing. Keep writing." Meanwhile, Lionel Richie was on board with Katy and noted, "As far as your career is concerned sky is the limit for you."

Lionel added, "Girlfriend, if you just go away for a hot moment and come back a little bit more tidied up, I think it’ll be a lot better for you." Katy further shared while giving a no to Payton, "It's just because you're in the growing phase, and I would hate to pull you out prematurely." She added, "I’d say try it in three years, at 18, and you’d have a real shot."

However, the viewers left furious over Payton's rejection and compared the aspiring singer to Taylor Swift as the pop singer also wrote songs after her breakup. A social media user tweeted, "I feel bad I really do but she needs to just keep practicing I can see a young Taylor swift in her future." An X user wrote, "Payton's performance was the best original song on American Idol in a while. I cried a little. I'm so tired of the "not ready yet" reason for rejection."

Another person added, "Are you kidding me? This young lady is clearly the next Swifty! Come on #Idol." Another Instagram user commented, "She’s going to be a star one day!!!!! Taylor swift in the making." Another viewer said, "This girl should have gone through!!!!!!!" Another critic noted, "I think you guys made a mistake with her...you should be all her back...." Another internet user stated, "PAYTON DESERVE THIS DREAM, AND LIONEL AND KATY CRUSHED HER DREAMS, I THINK THEY MADE IT A MISTAKE ."

Katy Perry advises Payton Riley not to focus on boys

'American Idol' Season 22 judge Katy Perry shared advice to Payton Riley and compared the aspiring singer's heartbreak with hers. The ABC show judge recalled, "When I was your age, I had boyfriends... to write songs about too and was trying..." She revealed, "My first boyfriend at 16, he dumped me in the parking lot of the Guitar Center." Katy then suggested to Payton, "Try not to give so much energy to the boys. Cause I did a lot of that and know that God has a plan for your life."

Why did Payton Riley split with her ex-boyfriend?

Payton Riley broke up with her ex-boyfriend because of the long distance. They had been friends since the first grade. The aspiring singer revealed to the cameras, "Our sisters are best friends, and so are our families. We go on family trips." She added, "And so about two years ago, we started dating." Payton elaborated, "But you know people grow apart, and he went to a different school. We broke up and it was really hard for me."

She further noted that he was her best friend and she later realized that everything happens for a reason. She wrote the song after the breakup and claimed, "This song really helped me get through it." She still has been friends with her ex-boyfriend but misses the kind of friendship that they had before.

Catch new episodes of 'American Idol' Season 22 every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC. The latest episodes will be available to stream next day on Hulu.