Ed Sheeran and Alanis Morissette Will Temporarily Replace Two ‘American Idol’ Judges 

Katy Perry and Lionel Richie won’t be in attendance for the next episode of American Idol, slated to air Sunday, May 7, on ABC. The two hitmakers will be across the pond performing at King Charles III’s coronation ceremony. 

The royal affair will take place on May 6, but Perry and Richie won’t be appearing at London’s Westminster Abbey until May 7 for the concert—forcing them to skip out on filming the hit competition show. 

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Pop sensation Ed Sheeran and chart-topping artist Alanis Morissette will fill their shoes as guest judges —for one night only. Sheeran and the Canadian singer-songwriter were already slated to join the show as mentors. Throughout the broadcast, Richie and Perry will “hologram” in from Windsor Castle to provide timely updates. 

The news does not come as a surprise, as Luke Bryan recently dropped hints about the Idol shake-up at the 2023 Stagecoach festival. While speaking with ET’s Cassie DiLaura, the platinum-selling artist expressed his overwhelming excitement. 

“It’s big time. It’s big time,” shared Bryan. “The people that we have filling in, contestants have used their songs many, many times. A lot more than mine!” 

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Contestants heading into the next round will be required to pull from Morissette’s award-winning catalog for their performances. The aspiring musicians will also join forces on duets to tackle some of Sheeran’s biggest hits. 

While Morissette will also take the spotlight to deliver a fan favorite, Sheeran will share an exclusive performance of a single from his highly anticipated record, – (Subtract). 

American Idol is scheduled to air on ABC Sunday, May 7, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET. 

Photo: ABC/Eric McCandless