While the American Idol Top 8 competed on Sunday (May 7), judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry performed at Windsor Castle in London to celebrate King Charles’ coronation. The King was crowned alongside Queen Camilla in an elaborate ceremony on Saturday (May 6).
Around 20,000 people gathered at Windsor for the show featuring Lionel performing his 80’s mega hit “All Night Long” and the Commodores’ “Easy” for the royals. Katy, wearing a huge gold dress, sang “Roar” and “Firework.” Katy closed the show saying to the King, “Thank you for bringing out the firework in so many young people.”
The evening hosted by Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville also featured performances from The Masked Singer judge Nicole Scherzinger, British vocal band Take That, Paloma Faith, pop opera singer Andrea Bocelli and a global choir led by Steve Winwood singing a version of his hit “Higher Love.”
Katy Perry sings Roar and Firework
Lionel Richie performs “Easy” and “All Night Long”
King Charles and Queen Camilla make a cameo on American Idol!
By the time American Idol began broadcasting at 8 pm EDT, it was 1 am in London. After a long day, Katy and Lionel managed to make remote appearances throughout the show, claiming they were watching the performances.
The two also managed to bring along special guests! King Charles and Queen Camilla dropped by to say hello. “I just wanted to check how long you’ll be using this room for?” King Charles joked. “We have to give the room up right away,” Lionel said after the King enquired if the two would be using the room “all night long.” Har har har!
“Thank you so much for your brilliant performance,” the king said as Katy put on a fake English accent to ask “are we making too much noise?” She curtsied as the royal couple left the room. But not before they invited Katy and Lionel to the party next door. The bit was awkward and unexpected.
Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran stood in for Katy and Lionel on the American Idol judges panel in Los Angeles while they were busy hobnobbing with the royals. The Top 8 performed songs from the Alanis Morissette catalog as she mentored them. The singers also paired up for duets to sing Ed Sheeran songs. Five singers advanced to the next round after a nationwide, realtime vote. (Read our Recap)
