This Is Who Katy Perry Wants on 'American Idol' with Her

New American Idol judge Katy Perry is speaking up about who she'd prefer to have sitting next to her on the show's panel of judges. Since these guys are already the frontrunners for the jobs, they stand a good chance of getting the gig.

Via Us Weekly.

While calling into On Air With Ryan Seacrest on Wednesday, August 23, the singer revealed that she would like to see Lionel Richie and Charlie Puth beside her mentoring contestants on the series, which Seacrest will return to host.

“I’m really pulling for Lionel because I think Lionel is an icon,” Perry explained. “And not only that, but if you’ve seen or ever met Lionel, he just knows how to charm the whole room and he’s such an artisan with words. . . I love Lionel.”

While Puth, 23, has less experience in the business, Perry explains that’s part of what makes him an appealing choice for the gig. “Charlie I think is an interesting play because Charlie Puth is somewhat new to the general public of America,” the “Swish Swish” singer explained. “Obviously he has his own big fan base, but I think he’s really talented. That song ‘Attention’ is one of my favorite songs this year.”

She added that the “See You Again” crooner’s presence would add a fun contrast between her and Richie. "He’s a writer; he’s a producer; he’s young; he’s fresh; he’s cool; he’s hip. He’s Charlie Puth!”she said. "He’s just some fresh blood. Between Lionel and me, it would be nice to have someone a little bit even more fresh. We’re a different kind of fresh.”

As previously reported, Perry was announced as a judge for the competition series on May 16. “I am honored and thrilled to be the first judge bringing back the American Idol tradition of making dreams come true for incredible talents with authentic personalities and real stories,” Perry said via a press release at the time.

Find out the rest of the story at Us Weekly.

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