Katy Perry Allegedly Decides to Not Return to ‘American Idol’ Following a ‘Suffocating’ Encounter

Katy Perry, who left “American Idol” in February 2024 to refocus on music, reportedly has no plans to return due to its restrictive schedule.

The singer released her album “143” and will begin her Lifetimes world tour in April 2025.

Katy Perry is also set to join Blue Origin’s historic all-female space mission on April 14, alongside Lauren Sánchez and Gayle King.

Perry received attention when she officially stated her exit from “American Idol” on February 12, 2024, marking the end of her time as a judge spanning seven seasons.

According to insiders cited by The U.S. Sun, the well-known pop star has no plans to come back to the program because the show’s demanding schedule clashed with her artistic ambitions and future objectives.

At the time, Perry revealed her decision during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” where she shared her desire to refocus on her music career.

During that time, she mentioned, “I believe this season will likely be my final one for Idol. I have a deep affection for [American] Idol. It has connected me with the soul of America, but I must follow my own artistic rhythm. While I cherish the show, I wish to explore the world and perhaps create new music.”

After Perry’s exit, country star Carrie Underwood took over the judging role. However, insiders claim Perry hasn’t been following the current season and hasn’t watched her replacement in action.

“Katy doesn’t even watch the show, so she hasn’t seen Carrie,” the source shared. “But she feels more like herself now than she has in years being a pop star. She is a pop star to the core and her team all felt like the show was holding her back, she felt that too.”

The insider added, “It was suffocating in a way due to being under the Disney contract and needing to film so many weeks of the year and having to answer to people she would not normally have to answer to.”

Instead, the “Dark Horse” hitmaker has fully embraced her musical comeback, recently dropping her new album “143” and preparing for her highly anticipated Lifetimes tour, which is her first global tour since 2017’s Witness.

The tour kicks off on April 23, 2025, in Mexico City and wraps up on December 7, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, with a total of 84 performances planned across multiple continents.

Meanwhile, Perry was recently suited up and space-ready as she struck a pose alongside Lauren Sánchez in sleek, form-fitting astronaut gear ahead of their highly anticipated Blue Origin launch.

The pop star brought her signature humor, captioning: “We’re putting the ass in astronaut!”

The upcoming mission, scheduled for April 14 in West Texas, will be a groundbreaking one as it marks the first all-female spaceflight since 1963.

Joining Perry and Sánchez on the 11-minute New Shepard journey are journalist Gayle King and three other women. The custom-designed blue flight suits were reportedly created by Sánchez herself.

Perry gave fans a glimpse of the preparations on Instagram, sharing photos in her jumpsuit, personalized with her name “Perry,” and the Blue Origin logo.

She captioned her post: “Happy International Day of Human Space Flight. Forever in awe of the Universe and its alignment.”

In an interview with the Associated Press, from her rehearsal space in Ontario, California, earlier this week, Perry shared how she’s tapping into inner strength and science to prepare for the upcoming space mission.

The 40-year-old pop star revealed that she’s been leaning on daily affirmations, reading astrophysics literature, and embracing her “feminine divine” as she readies herself for the journey.