The Teenage Dream icon feels ‘more like herself than she has in years’ after she put her reality TV behind her

The pop star was replaced by country singer Carrie Underwood after leaving the show last year – but reportedly hasn’t watched her successor as the new season currently airs.

Katy, 40, has been on the go, releasing a new album, 143, and prepping for the Lifetimes tour ever since announcing her exit from American Idol in 2024.

Due to the demanding months-long filming schedule of Idol, Katy was unable to pursue her own music projects to their full capacity and, due to that, is “not interested” in coming back to Idol, a source claimed.

The insider told The U.S. Sun: “Katy doesn’t even watch show so she hasn’t seen Carrie.

“But she feels more like herself now than she has in years being a pop star. She is a pop star to the core and her team all felt like the show was holding her back, she felt that too.

“It was suffocating in a way due to being under the Disney contract and needing to film so many weeks of the year and having to answer to people she would not normally have to answer to.”

The source said that Katy hasn’t tuned into the singing competition since she departed, so she has “no opinion” on how Carrie, 42, is doing in her judge’s seat.

“Katy wishes the show and everyone there well, she still views it as a positive overall.

“She just graduated from that chapter and has no interest in going back,” they added.

On February 12, 2024, Katy announced she was leaving American Idol after seven seasons.

After Idol season 22, the Dark Horse singer said she wanted to exit the show to focus on new music.

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While discussing the shocking decision on Jimmy Kimmel Live last year, Katy explained: “So I think this will probably be my last season for Idol.

“I love [American] Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I need to feel that pulse of my own beat.

“I love the show so much but I want to go and see the world and maybe bring new music.”

In the time since leaving Idol, Katy released her new album and is about to embark on the Lifetimes World Tour.

The tour will begin on April 23, 2025, in Mexico City and is set to conclude on December 7, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – consisting of eighty-four shows.

It marks her first tour since joining Idol – as she last hit the road for her Witness album back in 2017.

LIVIN’ A TEENAGE DREAM

Since Katy’s departure, Idol is seemingly saving a fortune by slashing the amount it’s paying out to her replacement.

After joining the panel in 2018, it was reported that the Teenage Dream songstress’ Idol salary was upwards of $25 million per season – allegedly more than double what her co-judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie were pocketing.

With Carrie part of the show now, a source claimed she will be making closer to what Luke, 48, and Lionel, 75, are making – which is far less than Katy’s payday.

“For her first year, Carrie is making substantially less than Katy,” a source told The U.S. Sun.

“Carrie’s salary is in the $10-12 million range, so less than half of what Katy was getting.

“Depending on Carrie’s performance and how she’s responded to by the viewers, there is room to boost that number up if she were to return next year.”

The insider claimed the Grammy winner signed a one-year contract so she is “not obligated” to return.

However, they added that if “everything continues to go how it’s been,” the team will “want Carrie back, no question.”