LIONEL DANCING ON THE CEILING AS KATY QUITS!
Idol gang happy to see diva go!
LIONEL RICHIE isn’t crying over co-star Katy Perry’s departure from American Idol, according to insiders who say the All Night Long singer is actually jumpin’ with joy!
“It takes a lot for an old pro like Lionel to dislike somebody, but Katy gets under his skin and always has,” spills an insider. “She comes across as stuck up. She’s harsh with contestants while Lionel loves being a mentor. Katy doesn’t seem to have patience with these young wannabes.
“Lionel won’t be sad seeing her go. He’s happy he won’t have to listen to her catty, cutting remarks!”
On Feb. 12, Katy blindsided Lionel and her fans by announcing current season 22 will be her last, saying, “I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America.
But I need to feel that pulse of my own beat,” insisting the decision was hers alone. Perry says she resisted producers’ efforts to paint her as “the bad judge.”
But other sources say actor Orlando Bloom’s baby mom was shown the door for her all-around diva attitude.
As GLOBE reported, the 39-year-old came under fire from viewers for her questionable coaching style. Katy mom-shamed Sara Beth Liebe for having three kids by age 25, driving her to quit and triggering howls for Perry’s head.
Later, fans accused her of using bait-and-switch tactics, shockingly compared to psychological warfare, with two contestants. Behind the scenes, sources claim Katy was a secretive, condescending diva disliked by the crew and castmates.
Perry joined the show, which co-stars Ryan Seacrest and Luke Bryan, as a judge in 2018.
Not surprisingly, Richie claims he had no forewarning about Katy leaving, saying: “We didn’t know about it, but it makes sense.”
Adds the insider, “No doubt Lionel, Luke and a lot of other people on Idol are seeing this as a good thing. The show could use some fresh air!”