While Katy Perry and Lionel Richie were away in England for the coronation of King Charles, it was announced on May 1 that Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran would be guest judges on the May 7 episode of “American Idol.”
The guest spots were temporary, but the episode in which Morissette served as a judge and mentor to the singers and Sheeran performed duets with the contestants featured full-time judge Luke Bryan.
Promoting the then-upcoming episode, Bryan said fans of “American Idol” would be thrilled when they find out who filling in for Perry and Richie.
Judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie were interrupted by the surprise guests during a live stream from Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com/lTpnopOvER
— CNN (@CNN) May 8, 2023
“It’s big time. It’s big time,” Bryan told ET on April 29. “The people that we have filling in, contestants have used their songs many, many times. A lot more than mine!”
This episode was particularly noteworthy for being the first “American Idol” episode in which both of the guest judges performed their own songs on the show, with Morissette singing one of her hits and Sheeran singing his new single, “Eyes Closed,” according to Variety.
The episode is also worthy of discussion considering how recently the “American Idol” episode aired after Sheeran won his copyright infringement lawsuit regarding allegations that his song “Thinking Out Loud” copied Marvin Gaye’s song “Let’s Get It On.”
King Charles, who was technically crowned on May 6 for those watching via the U.S., tapped Perry, an ambassador for the British Asian Trust, which focuses primarily on ending child trafficking, and Richie to perform a concert inside Westminster Abbey at his royal ceremony, which took place the following Sunday, May 7, in British time.
While all seemed well, some fans were disappointed with Richie and Perry’s performances, saying they both foamed in their singing, The New York Post reported.
Katty Perry at the Kings concert looking like the gold toffee quality street #KingCharles #KingCharlesIII #KingCharlesCoronation pic.twitter.com/ouLzbWoe1A
— KingMatW??????? (@KingMatW) May 7, 2023
Online critics say Richie’s performance was more disappointing, with several Twitter users comparing the 73-year-old singer’s voice to Kermit the Frog or a karaoke bar amateur.
Can’t work out if it’s Lionel Richie or Kermit on the piano #CoronationConcert pic.twitter.com/wQdRFGsz1O
— Cardi Brie (@genevieveredgra) May 7, 2023
Grew up on the 80’s with him, but now Lionel Richie doesn’t sound like Lionel Richie. More like Lionel RichTea … Kermit agrees! #CoronationConcert pic.twitter.com/VOdFmjHXT3
— SonicR360 (@SonicR360) May 7, 2023
Richie sang his greatest hits, including “All Night Long” and “Easy,” in front of a crowd of 20,000.
don’t worry guys i found my seat
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 6, 2023
katty perry performing at the british coronation is the funniest thing ever ???
— piqalee ? (@piqalee) May 8, 2023
¡¡UPS Casi casi #KattyPerry
Compra el piso !
En la coronación #ReyCarlosIII pic.twitter.com/8atOFtH8q7— Ana ?????????? (@AnaAnalia125) May 7, 2023
Perry did not fare well with critics either, the singer went viral for looking confused when she was trying to find her seat at King Charles III’s coronation. She performed “Roar” and “Fireworks.”
