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Lionel Richie was surprised when the news reached him about Katy Perry’s imminent departure from American Idol. But “I’m not angry,” he said while visiting Jimmy Kimmel live! Thursday.
“It just threw me off track when I first heard about it,” he joked about Perry’s upcoming departure. “My phone exploded.”
Perry’s recently announced that it would be leaving the singing competition after its 22nd season.
Richie claimed he was unaware of Perry’s decision, which became known on Monday. “No, we didn’t know, but it makes sense,” he said. “In other words: the reason I love coming on the show with you and the reason I do it american idol It’s because I have 400 years of stories and a life in the music business. “I have things I’ve done.”
He continued: “And when Katy says, ‘I want to go and create some stories,’ remember that she’s young. But the thing is, you have to take the time and really be an artist.”
Richie said he didn’t know who would replace her.
“You know, they’re keeping quiet because I don’t even know, but I’m telling you… It’s going to be really interesting.” Richie said. “Just because, I tell you what, this is a great show. And what I like most of all is that we’re artists, so we know what we’re talking about, and these kids are scared to death, so I love sitting there like the wise poo-bahs, the three of us, and we’re sitting there and we all give information that we know is real.”
He added: “So whoever comes on the show has to be, well, to top Katy, you have to always be funny and, on top of that, be knowledgeable.”