‘Had heard whispers’: Luke Bryan says Katy Perry’s ‘American Idol’ exit ‘wasn’t a huge shock’ for him

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Luke Bryan recently revealed he had a feeling Katy Perry would be departing 'American Idol' and said it wasn’t a "huge shock" when Perry revealed earlier in 2024 that she plans to quit the reality competition series after Season 22.

Fans adore the bond between Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie as they return to their positions as judges on ABC's 'American Idol' Season 22.

However, the dynamics is set to shift after Perry recently revealed that she intends to exit the show after the current season on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

Katy Perry's 'American Idol' exit wasn't a 'huge shock' for Luke Bryan

In a recent appearance in the radio program 'Taste of Country Nights,' the country music artist revealed that learning that his colleague on the reality show's judging panel was departing wasn't "a huge shock" for him.

With Perry having been a part of 'American Idol' for seven seasons, it will be a significant exit, but Bryan had nothing but kind things to say about the pop star's future endeavors.

Bryan, 47, acknowledged, "I had heard whispers that she was thinking about it — it wasn't like a huge shock, per E! News."

"I think she kinda just got caught up in the moment with Kimmel and maybe announced that she was done," the 'Country Girl' singer remarked.

Bryan also used the moment to consider how wonderful it has been to collaborate with the 'Teenage Dream' singer ever since she debuted on Season 16 of 'American Idol' in 2018.

"It's been a good run with Katy and she and I have developed a great friendship. It's just really been fun getting to know Katy," he went on.

Luke Bryan and Katy Perry intend to keep in touch

Indeed, the country music icon could hardly believe he had been working with Perry long enough for her to become a mother.

The singer went on, "I mean, heck, I was there before her daughter was born, and now her daughter is [3 years] old," referring to Daisy Dove, Perry's daughter with her fiance Orlando Bloom, who was born in August 2020.

"Just seeing her be a mother through this whole process. I mean it's just really been fun getting to know Katy," Bryan exclaimed, per People.

The singer-songwriter also mentioned that after Season 22 of 'Amercian Idol' concludes, he and Perry intend to keep in contact.

Bryan jokingly said that she can even come to him for "fishing advice," adding, "She knows that no matter what her next endeavors are, that she can pick up the phone and call me and check in and say hey."

During an appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' in February, Perry, 39, made her official announcement about leaving the ABC series.

Katy Perry's departure has 'not really' affected Luke Bryan's tenure as 'American Idol' judge

Luke Bryan debuted as a judge on 'American Idol' during Season 16. He enjoys watching the gifted vocalists perform their hits live.

Bryan stated on 'Taste of Country Nights' that the Grammy-nominated pop singer's decision to leave the reality show has "not really" affected his tenure as a judge.

"No, not really," he conceded. "I mean, every year we kinda negotiate how we do 'Idol', and it’s a year commitment. It’s not like I have a five-year contract or anything."

"So, when we start getting into the later stages of 'Idol', we’ll start deciding whether we come back or not, and that’s how we have done it for seven years," Bryan said.