Who Will Replace Katy Perry As American Idol Judge Odds? Kelly Clarkson Ahead

Katy Perry has left American Idol after six years as a judge on the US show.

The Roar hitmaker sat on the judging panel alongside music legend Lionel Richie and country star Luke Bryan, but she bowed out in the season 22 finale on May 19.

Talk has now turned to who might replace the pop megastar on the panel, and there is plenty of speculation on betting sites.

Katy herself has spoken out about who she thinks might be an ideal replacement, and in some of her latest comments she suggested a female star should join Lionel and Luke - but who?

Kelly Clarkson's Idol Return?

If you cast your minds back to September 2002, Kelly Clarkson became the first-ever winner of American Idol, propelling the singer into the limelight.

She has gone on to forge a glittering pop career, and has appeared as a mentor on Idol a couple of times in 2015 and 2016.

But could she be in line for a bigger role on the show?

Kelly - who was previously a coach on The Voice - is the Evens favourite on new betting sites to replace Katy on the panel, and it would tie in with Perry's recent comments.

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She has called for a woman to take her place, and said whoever it is should be "honest and bold, not scared of negative comments".

Speaking about the possibility of another guy joining the show, she told E! News: "That would be too many men, let's be honest.

"When you have an opinion, when you're bold, when you're a female, it just happens."

What's more, Lionel has also backed Kelly to replace Katy on the show.

He recently told Entertainment Tonight: "Kelly, if you don't have anything else to do, I'd like to drop that out there. Big fan!"

Jelly's Idol Role

While Katy is now backing a female star to replace her, she previously put singer and rapper Jelly Roll's hat in the ring.

In April, the California Gurls hitmaker told E! News: "I gotta say Jelly Roll was crazy when he came on the show.

"I was convinced at anything he said. He could run for president, he could be my pastor, I might go back to church for him. He could sell me anything.

"So I love him. And to have any of these guys plus Jelly on the show would be amazing. I love you, Jelly!"

Following Katy's backing, Jelly is the 6/4 second favourite on specials betting sites to take on the role, but he might miss out because of the all-male panel situation.

However, there has been some speculation that Idol bosses might even consider shaking up the whole panel, which could pave the way for Jelly to Roll into the hot seat.

Meghan's Idol Audition

Pop star Meghan Trainor was a guest coach on the latest American Idol season, but could the appearance have inadvertently served as her audition for being a regular panellist on the show?

Following the episode, in which the season 22 stars were whittled down to a top 10, judge Luke and Idol host Ryan Seacrest were both full of praise for the All About That Bass hitmaker.

Ryan told Entertainment Tonight: "She was very good. Meghan is a super talent, too, and she's got a great sense of humour. She's fun and she's spontaneous."

And Luke told the publication: "I think Meghan has always been real fun. You know, that's kinda been her brand, to have fun. [She's] real witty, so certainly."

But Luke admitted he had at least "10 names" as possibilities to replace Katy.

Meghan is the 2/1 third favourite on betting apps, just ahead of Fantasia Barrino (3/1), who won Idol's third season in 2004.

Comeback for J. Lo?

Others in contention include one of the show's former judges - Jennifer Lopez.

In February, it was claimed bosses were exploring the possibility of the 4/1 chance - who made her judging debut on Idol's 10th series in 2011 - returning to the panel.

A source told DailyMail.com at the time: "A return from the past is on the cards. J.Lo will be asked to come back. When people come back, things work...people like nostalgia, and people like Jen. It would be a big get to get her back."

It was also claimed Idol producers were looking at younger names, such as Taylor Swift (12/1), to bring in a new demographic.

Pop star Jordin Sparks, who is 6/1 to replace Katy, put her hat in the ring in February, writing on X: "Oh hiiii @AmericanIdol —I hear a seat opened up at the judges table! I’m putting my name in the hat! [waving emoji] (sic)"

What's more, Alanis Morissette (5/1) and Ed Sheeran (8/1) have Idol judging experience after they temporarily took Katy and Lionel's places on the panel in May last year, when the regular panellists headed over to the UK for King Charles' Coronation.

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.