KATY Perry has pulled out all the stops for her second-to-last episode as an American Idol judge on Sunday night.
Katy, leaving after seven seasons come next week’s finale, took the stage in blonde and opted for a jaw-dropping Cinderella outfit reveal.
American Idol returned tonight on ABC with the top five contestants performing at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
The Disney Night episode began with the judges singing You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story at Disneyworld.
Then, the broadcast cut to Katy, Lionel Richie, and Luke Byran walking onto the mainstage, and Katy leaned into the theme.
Katy donned platinum blonde hair, as opposed to her expected brunette tresses.
But that wasn’t the only part of her look that wowed fans.
She pulled a ribbon on the back of her dress and did a 360-degree turn, suddenly becoming a full-glam Cinderella.
The quick-change moment referenced how the iconic Disney character transformed for the ball in the classic movie.
As Katy instantly transformed from one dress to another more regal, silver gown, she was surrounded by glitter, and the audience roared.
‘SHE’S AMAZING!’
“She ate left no pumpkins,” one fan wrote on X.
“Awwww she looks soo pretty the gaggeryyy,” wrote another.
“OMFG nobody will fill her gap in that show!”
“Ohhh she’s amazing!!!” wrote a fourth.
“Katy REALLY committing to the Cinderella bit and I love it!” wrote a fifth.
FINAL FIVE
American Idol aired at 8 pm ET on ABC and the finale will air next Sunday, May 20 at the same time.
The Top 5 are Emmy Russell, Jack Blocker, Will Moseley, Abi Carter, and Triston Harper.
Each of the five finalists performed songs from the Disney Songbook – and were mentored by Kane Brown.
Fans called Will’s performance pure magic and top three material.
However, Emmy sang a shaky version of Miley Cyrus’s The Climb, and her singing-in-italics style seemed outmatched for the song.
At multiple points, she was pitchy, fans said, and couldn’t reach the higher notes.
The judges alluded to her not being the strongest performer of the compeтιтion in their critiques.
Luke said, “You’re just gaining confidence,” and Katy also said the song was fitting for her since she’s been on an improvement arc.
Lionel said, “You were fantastic I love it.”
“All imma say is Emmy needs to not make top 3 #AmericanIdol,” one X user wrote.
“Emmy… it has truly been a climb. But, being in the top 5, we shouldn’t be working through nerves and talking about confidence,” posted another.
A third called her rendition, “horrible.”
Once the performances finish, America can vote for their top three contestants to send into the finale next week.
Actress and singer Jenifer Lewis also graced the stage to perform Dig a Little Deeper.
In the finale, Jon Bon Jovi will mentor the Top 3, and in typical Idol fashion, the winner will be crowned at the end of the episode.
IT’S REALLY OVER
During a February appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Katy revealed she planned to leave Idol after this season to focus on her career.
“This fall, in September, I’m going to be doing this huge music festival in Brazil,” she said without warning on the talk show.
“So I think this will probably be my last season for Idol.”
Ryan recently opened up about the Firework singer’s imminent departure and admitted he doesn’t know who will take her place.
“There are a few people at the top of that short list that could be great,” Ryan told Fox News about Katy’s possible replacement.
“We should make that decision soon, though, I hope.”
As for Katy, the future Wheel of Fortune host said she will be missed.
“[Katy] just brought an amazing generosity and love and big heart, that kind of spirit to the show.
“To whoever comes in, we hope they’ll have that same kind of impact,” Ryan concluded.
NOT SUCH MAGICAL MOMENTS
Katy has gotten mixed reviews from fans about her judging on the show and her atтιтude toward contestants.
Last year, Katy “mom-shamed” a front-runner contestant into quitting.
Singer Sara-Beth Leiby revealed she had three children at just 25.
The judges were stunned by her vocal abilities and Katy fanned her face over the revelation she was a mom-of-three.
Sarah-Beth joked, “If Katy lays on the table, I think I’m gonna pᴀss out.”
“Three kids?” Lionel asked.
But, it was a comment from Katy that offended Sara Beth.
Katy told her, “Honey, you’ve been laying on the table too much.”
Soon after, the contestant quit the show because of the remark.
Katy has also said she wanted to spend more time with her 3-year-old daughter, Daisy Dove, and fiancé, Orlando Bloom, 47.
Rumors have also circulated that Katy and Orlando are expecting their second child, though neither has addressed the chatter.
