Adam Lambert, a familiar face to “American Idol” fans, has recently shared his thoughts on who should replace Katy Perry as a judge on the show. Lambert, who rose to fame as the runner-up on the eighth season of “American Idol,” suggested that country music star LeAnn Rimes would be an excellent choice for the role.
During an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Lambert expressed his admiration for Rimes. “I think LeAnn Rimes would be great,” he said. “I just worked with LeAnn Rimes down in Australia on ‘The Voice,’ and she’s so lovely, so down to Earth — very spiritual and deep, but great sense of humor. I think she’d be good on the show.”
LeAnn Rimes has been a prominent figure in the country music scene since she was a teenager. She gained widespread recognition with her hit “Blue,” a cover of a Bill Mack song, in 1996 when she was just 13 years old. Since then, she has continued to release music, with her most recent album, “God’s Work,” coming out in 2022.
Lambert’s endorsement of Rimes comes at a time when “American Idol” is searching for a new judge following Katy Perry’s departure. Perry, who served as a judge on the show for seven seasons, announced her exit in February. During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” Perry revealed that she felt it was time to move on. “I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for ‘Idol,’” she said. “I mean, I love ‘Idol’ so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat.”
Perry’s departure has left a significant void on the judging panel, which also includes Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Both Richie and Bryan have expressed their support for Perry’s decision. Bryan, in particular, mentioned that he had heard whispers about Perry’s plans to leave and wasn’t entirely surprised by her announcement. “It’s been a good run with Katy, and she and I have developed a great friendship,” Bryan said. “To work alongside her, I mean, heck, I was there before her daughter was born, and now her daughter is three years old.”
As the search for Perry’s replacement continues, several names have been floated as potential candidates. Meghan Trainor, for instance, has been vocal about her desire to join the judging panel. During a June episode of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Trainor said, “I have done every interview in the world and said that that is my dream job. There’s nothing I want more in life than to be a judge on ‘American Idol.’ That is my ultimate bucket list dream come true.”
Trainor’s enthusiasm for the role has not gone unnoticed. Both Luke Bryan and host Ryan Seacrest have complimented her as a possible replacement. “I think Meghan’s always been real fun. You know, that’s kinda been her brand, to have fun,” Bryan said. Seacrest added, “Meghan is a super talent, too, and she’s got a great sense of humor and she’s fun and she’s spontaneous.”
Another name that has come up in discussions is Jelly Roll, a country star who was suggested by Perry herself. “Jelly Roll was crazy when he came on the show,” Perry said. “I was convinced at anything he said. He could run for president. He could be my pastor. I might go back to church for him. He could sell me anything.”
Jelly Roll has expressed his interest in the role, telling Billboard in May, “Of course! Consider? I’ve accepted the job and they haven’t offered it.”
Kelly Clarkson, the original “American Idol” champion, has also been mentioned as a potential judge. However, Clarkson has made it clear that she is not interested in the position. “No. No. I can’t do that, only because I promised my kids. I was like, ‘I wanna be there as much as I possibly can,'” Clarkson said. “And it would put me in L.A., and that’s why I had to quit ‘The Voice,’ which I love that team. And I miss them so much.”
As the speculation continues, fans of “American Idol” are eagerly awaiting the announcement of who will join the judging panel. With names like LeAnn Rimes, Meghan Trainor, and Jelly Roll in the mix, the show is sure to find a worthy successor to Katy Perry.
Source: Fox News, Entertainment Tonight, Billboard
