american idol judges conflict© Photo: Getty Images

Katy Perry talks disagreements with American Idol judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie

The three singers are judging their fifth season together

Ahad Sanwari - New York
Senior WriterNew York
March 21, 2022

American Idol judge Katy Perry doesn't always agree with her co-stars Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie when it comes to every person auditioning for the show.

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In the show's newest installment, she opened up about what it was like to be in the minority of the vote and being the one to stand behind someone's potential.

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In a clip leading up to an audition, Katy said: "Luke, Lionel, and myself, we have been doing this for almost five years. We don't argue a whole lot. But lately…"

It then cut to a clip of Aretha Franklin's granddaughter Grace Franklin, who auditioned earlier this season and was sent home after Katy voted yes but the other two said no.

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"It's challenging because it is a two out of three vote. I just have so much hope in people and belief in people that we can mold them."

Katy was vindicated after a previous disagreement with her fellow judges

After showing two other such auditions of Lydia Samuels and Sam Moss, it then featured a montage of Katy mourning for Sam, Lydia, and Grace to the other judges, even making a shirt with their names on it.

"I am the squeaky wheel that gets greased," she continued in her confessional. "So I make my opinion heard and known. I don't shut up. Sometimes they have to listen."

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It then culminated with Sam's return to the auditions a month after her original one in Austin, to which Katy reacted with a joyous scream.

"I don't know what it is, it might be the twentieth season, but these guys have turned against me," Katy teased, to which Luke retorted: "It's come time for you to realize you're just not always right."

© Photo: Getty Images

The judges are quite friendly, even when they disagree

After a powerful performance with an original song, the judges were much more enthusiastic about Sam and Katy even made them sign her t-shirt with a "yes" as they all sent her through to the Hollywood round.

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