KATY Perry’s final season on American Idol will be impacted by difficulty and the possibility of aggression, a body language expert has said.
She claimed the Roar hitmaker’s relationship with Ryan Seacrest looked broken while the singer displayed “red flags” during a TV interview on Jimmy Kimmel.
On Monday, Katy, 39, announced on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that she would leave the hit music competition.
When Katy told the chat show host that Season 22 would be her last, Jimmy looked shocked.
Katy has been a judge on American Idol since its reboot in 2018.
Body language expert said the mom of one performed a "cut-off ritual" but attempted to hide her "true feelings."
Season 21 saw Katy face backlash from viewers over mom-shaming Sara Beth Liebe.
Sara left the competition citing the need to head home and care for her children.
Katy was also accused of being rude to singer Wé Ani after she did not give her feedback.
“Closed eyes accompanied Katy’s long pauses during her Jimmy Kimmel chat," James told The U.S. Sun.
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"These were cut-off rituals to hide her true feelings.
“Katy glanced down at the floor and did a micro-sneer.
"She showed what looked like disgust or rejection when she was asked how long she would stay on the show."
“When she finally announced it would be the last season, there was a micro jaw-jut to suggest aggression.
"This relates to possible upcoming battles," she said.
“When she told Jimmy, ‘I love Idol,’ Katy's hands formed wings that never really reached her heart.
“Her eyes closed again in another lengthy cut-off.
“It is only when she talked about what happens next that she swayed with her hands balled into fists.
“Her words were about freedom and individuality.
“She closed one eye again, and sucked her lips in when she said she was ‘creating space for my new wingspan.’
“This suggested Katy felt her wings were clipped on American Idol.”
Katy’s fellow judges include music superstars and her friends, Lionel Richie, 74, and Luke Bryan, 47.
"Well, they'll find out tonight," Katy told Kimmel when asked if they knew about her decision.
"I've been in the studio for a while, so they figured something is up," she replied.
James suggested Katy’s comments hinted at an array of issues on set.
“Her comments hinted at a background of problems," she said.
“Katy would have made her feelings obvious backstage already.
“When she talked about the other presenters, Katy sounded dismissive.
"It shocked Kimmel that she told him before she had told them.
“Her emotions at this point looked like she had shrugged all of the team off.
“It was as if Katy was not bothered if they learned the news from the TV interview.
“This was a red flag regarding some of her relationships on the show.
“She slapped her hand on her leg, as though wanting to feel defiant and decisive.”
Katy’s shock news came within days after she was photographed with Ryan, 49, Lionel, and Luke in Hawaii.
On Thursday, the team filmed ahead of the new show season, which airs Sunday on ABC.
She looked like she had gotten to the point where the fake smiles had run out.
Judi James
Dressed in bright yellow, Katy looked on edge as she stood within feet of Ryan.
She played with her jet-black hair and stared into the distance.
James said Katy dropped clues like breadcrumbs surrounding her decision to quit.
“Katy's body language as she breathed the same air as Seacrest looked glum and demotivated," she said.
“Her slumped shoulders, deadpan facial expression, and gesture of rubbing the back of her neck all suggested she had had enough.
“She looked like she had gotten to the point where the fake smiles had run out.
“While Ryan was all celebrity grins and upbeat conversations.
“In the yellow dress, she looked dressed for upbeat, summery fun.
“But the body language suggested anxiety and a desire to hide or avoid.
“The rubbing of the back of the neck looked like an anxiety or self-comfort, auto-contact gesture.
“Katy clutched her phone; it suggested a desire to be distracted rather than socialize.”
In May 2023, an insider told The U.S. Sun that the Fireworks singer was "milling over" the future.
They said she wanted more children with her beau, actor Orlando Bloom, 47.
Katy shares a 3-year-old daughter, Daisy, with Orlando and is a stepmom to Flynn, 13, whom he shares with his ex, Miranda Kerr, 40.
The source added that Katy would also want to focus more on her music career.
As a global pop star, Katy has released several albums, starting with Katy Hudson in 2001.
This was followed by Teenage Dream and then Smile in 2020.
On Idol, Katy and Ryan go way back and, at first, appeared to get along well.
In 2017, Ryan spoke highly of her during an interview on iHeartRadio.
"I met you back in 2008. I remember the first time you came to the KIIS-FM studio," he said.
According to , tension between the two celebrities over their differing paychecks started to rise.
Ryan looked oblivious to Katy's weak smile.
Judi James
It was reported that Katy would get $25 million for her judging stints. Whereas Ryan was said to be earning over $10 million.
James suggested the pair look to remain at odds.
“Her smile looks sad and rather pensive here," she said.
"Ryan looked oblivious to Katy's weak smile.
"In Hawaii, she showed a more low-key presence.
"Katy is pure A-list, but there seemed to be no acknowledgment between them.
"Seacrest looked busy and was doing his usual sociable on-brand gestures.
"He showed off his broad smile.
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"But he turned away from Katy to greet and chat with people.
"Katy looked into the distance and seemed a million miles away.”