American Idol 2023: Luke Bryan Hints that “Big Stars” Will Fill In for Lionel Richie and Katy Perry on May 7
Next Sunday, May 7, the American Idol Top 7 will perform live for the judging panel — but two of the regular judges, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry, are expected to be absent. Both artists are scheduled to perform at the coronation concert for King Charles III on the grounds of Windsor Castle in England, which creates a direct conflict with the Idol broadcast. Aside from any remote or novelty appearances such as a late-night hologram, Lionel and Katy are likely to miss the live episode in person.
Luke Bryan, the third judge on the panel, will be present for the May 7 episode. In recent interviews, Bryan teased that high-profile music stars will sit in as guest judges while Lionel and Katy take part in the historic coronation weekend. His comments have sparked speculation among fans about which major artists will step up to evaluate the Top 7’s performances.
Luke Says “Big Time” Stars Will Take Lionel and Katy’s Place
Speaking to entertainment reporters before his headlining set at the Stagecoach festival in California, Luke described the replacements as “big time” music artists, noting that the guest judges will likely be performers whose songs contestants on Idol have frequently chosen. “It’s big time. It’s big time,” Bryan said, emphasizing that these are artists with substantial catalogues and wide recognition — the kind of stars whose music Idol contestants often cover on the show.
Bryan declined to reveal names, explaining the secrecy is intentional to avoid any production issues. “I don’t want to get kicked off Idol,” he joked, underscoring that the guest lineup is being kept under wraps. Fans will have to wait for the live broadcast to see which artists join the judges’ table while Lionel Richie and Katy Perry perform internationally.
Katy Is Grateful to Perform for His Majesty
On the Idol red carpet earlier in the week, Katy Perry explained why the coronation invitation meant so much to her. She noted a prior meeting with His Majesty and her ambassadorial roles with charitable organizations, describing the performance as aligned with her advocacy and philanthropic work. For Katy, the opportunity to represent those causes on an international stage adds a personal significance to the engagement beyond the prestige of the event itself.
From the perspective of American Idol, the absence of two marquee judges presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The show can tout the coronation-level status of its judges while generating interest through surprise guest appearances. Bringing in well-known artists as temporary judges often creates buzz and offers contestants fresh perspectives from established performers.
See The Top 12 at Luke’s Stagecoach Concert on Sunday April 30
Before the May 7 episode, American Idol viewers can catch other special moments: the season’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame–themed night and mentoring by Adam Lambert are scheduled for the end of April and the following week’s Judges Song Contest episode. The series airs coast to coast on Sunday, April 30, and continues with themed shows in early May, with regular broadcast times beginning at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT on ABC.
Additionally, fans may have noticed that several of the Top 12 attended Luke Bryan’s Stagecoach concert on Sunday, April 30, where they had prime seats and an opportunity to experience a major country music festival up close. Clips and behind-the-scenes moments from that outing are expected to appear in upcoming Idol episodes, offering viewers an inside look at the contestants’ offstage interactions and camaraderie.
With Lionel Richie and Katy Perry performing at a once-in-a-lifetime royal event, American Idol will lean on guest judges and in-studio talent to maintain the show’s momentum. As the Top 7 prepare to showcase their skills, viewers can expect surprise faces at the judges’ table and plenty of conversation online as fans speculate about which major recording artists will step in for the coronation weekend.