This American Idol Winner Wants To Take Katy Perry’s Place On Judges’ Panel | HO

American Idol season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino would love to take Katy Perry’s place on the judging panel when she exits the show after American Idol season 22. Fantasia won American Idol season 3 in 2004 and has since gone on to become one of the show’s most successful winners. A singer and an actress, Fantasia has won a Grammy Award and two Billboard Awards, and has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for her incredible performance as Celie in The Color Purple. Fantasia had previously played the role on Broadway, to much acclaim. She was named one of Time‘s 100 Most Influential People in 2024.

“I’m gonna be honest, I would love to.”

In an interview with ET, Fantasia shared that she’d “love” to take Katy’s place on the American Idol judging panel. When asked if she’d be interested in the role, she said, “You know, I’m gonna be honest, I would love to.” Fantasia added, “I think that those kids, when they’re coming into the game…I think that they need somebody to come in and not only show them how to sing a song but how to handle the business. Because it’s a lot.”

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Fantasia Barrino Wants To Help Guide Contestants Through Music Business

Fantasia Has Firsthand Experience With The Aftermath Of American Idol

Fantasia continued by saying that she thinks the American Idol contestants need someone who can help guide them through the music business. She explained that they need somebody to make sure that they have what they need and to guide them about which songs to sing. She said that it’s important to get to know the contestants and understand “their upbringing.” Fantasia added that they should be asked, “What makes you want to sing? Why do you love this? Why do you want this?” She concluded by saying, “So I would love to do it. I would be up for it.”

Fantasia would be the ideal American Idol judge. She’s spoken in the past about how she lost everything after the show at age 19 because she didn’t know the ins and outs of the music industry. Fantasia has firsthand experience with winning American Idol, and then building a tremendously successful career afterward, so she would be able to help the contestants from a unique perspective. Her comments prove that she’s already given a lot of thought about what the contestants need from the judges, and she would not only be a cheerleader for them but an advocate as well.

As Katy finishes her final American Idol season, it’s going to be very hard to find someone to fill her shoes. Through her seven years as a judge, she’s been a nurturing presence for the contestants, giving both encouraging support and gentle criticism when needed. As a former contestant during old school American Idol, Fantasia saw the harsher critiques of judge Simon Cowell, so she’d understand that the contestants need help and not humiliation. She’d also be an honest person to guide the finalists through the complicated world of the music business. Fantasia is the perfect person to replace Katy on American Idol.