But this year will feel a little different with Katy Perry stepping down. Perry has served as a judge since the series was rebooted in Season 16. After Season 22, Perry turned her attention to releasing music and touring.

US country favourite Carrie Underwood has helped an American Idol contestant cover Bodies by Drowning Pool. The 42-year-old, who won American Idol in 2005 and now judges on the talent show, joined a contestant called ‘Insite’ in singing the 2001 nu metal floor-filler on the latest episode.

Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood ran into each other backstage at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena — a familiar haunt for two veteran country stars with more than 50 No. 1 hits between them. The singers were there to take part in a concert tribute to the late Toby Keith,