Luke Bryan Stands Up For Katy Perry Over 'American Idol' Judging Backlash

In a show of solidarity, country music star and "American Idol" judge Luke Bryan has come to the defense of his co-judge, pop superstar Katy Perry, after she faced severe criticism from fans for her verdicts and judging style.

The duo, who have been serving as judges on the popular singing competition, has formed a close bond over the years, and Bryan was quick to step up and support Perry amidst the backlash.

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The source of the controversy was various comments she made recently on "American Idol" that left fans divided and vocal about their dissatisfaction, even chanting boos at the singer at some point. Perry was also accused of mom-shaming by Sara Beth Liebe after the singer joked that she'd been "laying on the table too much."

Recognizing the mounting negativity, Bryan, in a recent interview with Fox News, addressed the situation head-on. In a heartfelt message, he defended his co-judge on the show, emphasizing the challenges of being on the judging panel, and praised Perry for her ability to shake off negative attention.

Bryan said, "Katy Perry's been dealing with stuff like that her whole career. We all get it… We're judging kids that people at home fall in love with. We're not going to bat 1,000 as judges."

In defending Perry, Bryan also expressed his belief that he and his co-judges on the show, including Perry and Lionel Richie, are consistently placed in challenging positions. He elaborated on the nature of their role and the difficult decisions they must make concerning contestants that viewers love.

"I think we get set up. As judges, you know, we kinda fall on the sword a lot of times," Bryan remarked. "And get set up to where people can get very vocal on socials and stuff. My thing is, I think when me and Lionel and Katy sit down at the desk, in our hearts, we're doing the best we can."

Bryan emphasized that the judge's decisions are not made lightly and are rooted in their collective expertise and understanding of the music industry. He also acknowledged the emotional toll the decisions could take on the judges, fans, and viewers at home.

According to People magazine, a contestant on season 21 of "American Idol" also recently stepped forward to defend the "Roar" singer amid the fan criticism she faced. The aspiring artist, Oliver Steele, took to social media to express his support and gratitude for the pop star as he recounted his personal experience with Perry.

"Katy is not a bully, nor does she shame people," Steele wrote on Instagram. "Katy has an incredible ability not just to tell what emotional state you're in, but to tell what's holding you back. I love all the judges, but Katy always seemed to be able to look into my soul and tell what was troubling me or what I was struggling with."

The former contestant added, "It's one thing to teach someone to believe in their ability, which the judges are fabulous at. Katy reminded me to believe in who I am as an artist. She challenged me to push myself, to take on challenges that made me uncomfortable."

Furthermore, in the interview with Fox News, the "Born Here Live Here Die Here" singer opened up about his future on the show, the emotional attachment he and his fellow judges have developed towards "American Idol" and the difficulty they anticipate in moving on from the show when the time comes.

"It's a show that kids can sit down, and parents can cry and laugh together and have fun," Bryan stated. "It's gonna be a tough show for me, and Lionel and Katy to walk away from. Ryan's been there 21 years.… Ryan Seacrest could go do whatever he wants to."

He continued, "We feel like we're doing beautiful work as a show, and we felt like this year was what we had all worked together to get to."

The singer pointed out that he'll stay with the program as long as "the vibe feels like we're onward and upward," with people getting "emotionally moved" by the show.