Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran to guest judge May 7 as Lionel Richie and Katy Perry sing for King Charles in the UK
When the BBC announced that Katy Perry and Lionel Richie would be performing live at Windsor Palace in the UK for the King Charles III coronation concert on Sunday, May 7, American Idol fans wondered how the two judges would manage to perform in London AND be sitting in the judges chairs by 8 pm ET while American Idol broadcast live on ABC.
The answer was, of course, that the two would NOT do both. Instead, the show would enlist two guest judges to sit alongside Luke Bryan on the panel that night. Host Ryan Seacrest announced on Monday’s Judges Song Contest episode (May 1) that pop stars Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran would serve as guest judges as the Top 8 competed for a spot in the Top 5. He promised, however, that LIonel and Katy will still be checking into Idol LIVE from Windsor Castle.
Alanis will also mentor the contestants as they sing songs from her catalog
Besides sitting on the judges panel, Alanis will also mentor the contestants who will be singing tunes from her vast catalog of songs. Ed mentions in an on air video message that it’s his first time mentoring on American Idol. He’s served in that capacity on The Voice on Season 5 for Team Christina Aguilera. Alanis also served as a Voice mentor on season 2 for Team Adam Levine. Most recently she sat on the judges panel in 2021 for the short lived FOX competition, Alter Ego. Both guest judges will perform on the American Idol stage.
The Top 8 will pair up to sing duets.
A Top 7 became a Top 8
On Monday’s judges contest episode, a Top 7 was set to emerge at the end of the episode. But just as the judged did on at the end of last year’s song contest, the judge who received the most song picks from contestants won the ability to save a contestant. Katy won the contest this time, but she consulted with fellow judges on who to choose. Marybeth Byrd, Tyson Venegas and Oliver Steele were on the chopping block. The judges chose to save Oliver. (Read our Recap)
Katy and Lionel will perform at Windsor Castle to celebrate King Charles’ coronation alongside Take That, opera star Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer/songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer/producer Alexis Ffrench.
