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Contestant Emmy Russell Surprises 'American Idol' Judges By Revealing Connection to Country Music Legend

Emmy Russell faced the American Idol judges on Sunday night’s (February 25) episode!

The 24-year-old hopeful sat at the piano and sang an original song for Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan.

However, when she brought up that she grew up singing on the road, and that her grandmother was a country singer. When asked who her grandma was, she surprised the judges by revealing she is the late Loretta Lynn‘s granddaughter!

Keep reading to find out more…More Here! »

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Who Should Replace Katy Perry on 'American Idol' - Vote for Your Dream Judge in Our Poll

Now that Katy Perry has announced plans to leave American Idol behind, who do you want to see fill her seat at the judges table?

The 39-year-old “Firework” pop icon confirmed that she’d be stepping back from her position as a judge on the show after Idol‘s 22nd season airs. She’s held down a spot on the panel since 2018 when she signed on.

Katy leaving will create a gap that needs to be filled. Who should join Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie on the panel?

We pulled together some of pop music’s biggest stars and want to see who you think has it in them to take over!

Head inside to vote in our poll for your dream American Idol judge…More Here! »

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Past 'American Idol' Winner Wants to Replace Katy Perry as Judge

A past American Idol winner is throwing their hat in the ring to join the show’s judges panel!

Earlier this week, Katy Perry announced that she was leaving the show after season 22, which premieres on Sunday, Feb. 18.

Following Katy‘s announcement, a past Idol winner revealed that they would love to join the show as the new judge.

Keep reading to find out more…More Here! »

Every Judge Who Left 'American Idol' & Why - Real Reasons Revealed!

American Idol is one of the biggest shows on TV!

The singing reality TV series, which kicked off as Pop Idol in the U.K. before launching in America in 2012, has successfully sprung up all around the world with a bunch of international versions, boasting major superstars for judges.

After airing on Fox from 2002 to 2016 for 15 seasons, it was on hiatus for two years until 2018, when a revival of the series began on ABC, and it’s aired ever since.

Over the years, plenty of talent has judged and mentored the contestants all the way to the top. And one by one, all of them have eventually left the show to go on and do other things – even the last remaining original judge from the U.S. series.

We’ve rounded up all of the judges who have since departed from American Idol, along with the explanations they’ve given for why they left the show.

Scroll through to see every judge who left American Idol and why…

The Top 10 Richest 'American Idol' Singers of All Time, Ranked from Lowest to Highest Net Worth

American Idol Season 22 premieres this weekend!

The 22nd season of the show debuts Sunday February 18) on ABC (find out who’s back as a judge!), and we’re excited to see who will be the next American Idol.

Ever since launching the career of Kelly Clarkson all the way back in 2002, the long-running singing competition series has resulted in successful, lucrative runs for several contestants on the show – and many of the biggest names weren’t even necessarily the winners!

Since their seasons, so many stars of the show have released hit singles and albums, won awards, and made transitions into film and TV work, as well as racking up big endorsement deals and launching successful side ventures.

We took a look back through the years and rounded up the most wealthy American Idol alums based on the data online, and ranked them from lowest to highest.

Scroll through to find out which American Idol stars have the highest net worth…

'American Idol' - Complete List of Every Winner from the Past 21 Seasons!

It’s hard to believe American Idol first premiered more than two decades ago!

The hit singing competition series premiered on June 11, 2002 on FOX with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson as the original three judges with host Ryan Seacrest.

After 15 seasons, Idol ended on Fox and after a two year hiatus, the show was revived on ABC in 2018 with Ryan returning as host along with new judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan.

Over it’s past 21 seasons, Idol has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Season 22 of American Idol premieres on Sunday, Feb. 18 on ABC at 8pm ET.

Click through the slideshow to see all of American Idol’s past winners…

Lionel Richie Says He 'Didn't Know' About Katy Perry's Plans to Leave 'American Idol'

Lionel Richie is reacting to Katy Perry‘s American Idol exit announcement.

Earlier this week, the 39-year-old “Dark Horse” singer announced that she will be leaving the ABC singing competition after season 22, which premieres this weekend.

While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday (Feb. 15), Lionel, 74, reacted to Katy‘s announcement, which he says he didn’t know about ahead of time.

Keep reading to find out more…More Here! »