Another former winner, Season 2’s Ruben Studdard, as well as the runner-up that season, Clay Aiken, also indicated to E! News that they would answer ABC’s call. Whoever American Idol ultimately chooses, there’s one important factor in naming Katy Perry’s replacement, according to Lionel Richie, who said:

Walking the red carpet at New York’s Lincoln Center on April 25, the season 3 “Idol” winner told “Entertainment Tonight (ET)” she’d love to step in for Katy Perry when the pop star leaves the show at the end of season 22. That makes her one of ...

When compared to the other American Idol judges — Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie were "very engaging" with the crowd and took selfies and signed posters on the breaks, per the insider — the source called Perry "very cold toward the audience," claiming the "Roar" singer "would not sign any autographs or take any photos with them."

After Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken's exit from The Masked Singer, the duo told E! News if they'd be interested in returning to American Idol as a judge.

Ryan Seacrest recently got candid about Katy Perry's impending departure from American Idol after seven seasons as a judge. The popstar shared the news of her leaving on Jimmy Kimmel Live back in February.