Entertainment Music Country Music Luke Bryan Teases 3 Pop Stars Who Could Possibly Replace Katy Perry as the Next American Idol Judge Perry announced her exit from the singing competition show in February and has since teased a new era for her music By Daniela Avila Daniela Avila Daniela Avila is an editorial assistant at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2021. Her work previously appeared on The Poly Post. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 1, 2024 06:19PM EDT Luke Bryan. Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images After Katy Perry announced her exit from American Idol in February, fellow judge Luke Bryan is teasing who could be stepping in next. In a new interview with Billboard, the country star shared a few names that've been considered to replace Perry as the hit ABC singing competition series' next judge. “I’ve said several names. I think Pink has been in the talks, Miley Cyrus has been in the talks, Meghan Trainor has been in the talks," the "Country On" singer, 47, told the outlet. “It’s been interesting,” he added. “It’s been something Disney been really tightlipped about with me and Lionel [Richie] and Ryan [Seacrest]. We currently haven’t heard what the story is on who’s coming back, and if Lionel and I are coming back. I think Disney is just trying to figure out what they want to do and we’re just kind of sitting back and waiting until they decide.” Pink, Miley Cyrus and Megan Trainor. Kevin Mazur/Getty; Neilson Barnard/Getty; Amy Sussman/Getty Meghan Trainor Reveals She 'Begged' for American Idol Judge Spot Following Katy Perry's Exit: 'My Dream Job' Bryan, who joined American Idol as a judge during season 16 with Perry and Richie, also told the outlet that the "Firework" singer was "perfect for the job" so replacing her won't be easy. "I think they’re just working real hard to find somebody that can really come in and do the job that Katy did," he said. In a June 12 interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Trainor, 30, said that replacing Perry as a judge would be her "dream job." “I’ve done every interview in the world and said that that is my dream job, and I have emailed three awesome people who work in that world," she said. “I have begged for this job,” the "Me Too" singer added. “I haven’t heard any updates, so check my emails, but that is my dream job. I want to drive to work American Idol and then drive home.” Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan. Disney/Eric McCandless Katy Perry Gets Emotional and Cries During Final American Idol Season Finale In June, Kelly Clarkson, the show's first-ever winner, shut down the idea of returning to the series to sit on the judges panel while speaking to Entertainment Tonight. “No. No. I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids,” Clarkson said of replacing Perry. “I was like, ‘I wanna be there as much as I possibly can.’ And it would put me in L.A.” The "Piece by Piece" singer further explained that she left her coaching role on The Voice in 2023 after nine seasons for that same reason. Since her exit from the singing competition show, Perry announced the release of her new single "Woman's World" on July 11. The new track will be the first single off her upcoming sixth studio album, which has yet to be announced. Close