Why was Katy Perry booed by fans on American Idol?

On Monday’s episode of American Idol, Katy Perry experienced a first when she was booed by the live audience while giving her critique of contestant Nutsa.

In last night’s episode, the Top 26 contestants prepared for a new day of performances and were mentored by guest Noah Cyrus. Nutsa, a 25-year-old singer from Georgia, delivered a high-energy rendition of “Paris (Ooh La La)” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals during the Top 26 round in Hawaii. Her performance was filled with diva-like energy, dance moves, and audience engagement, which stunned the judges. The live audience cheered and applauded her strongly, making a bold statement.

However, Katy Perry, who’s a judge on the show, had some controversial feedback for the singer after her performance. She said, “Nutsa, every time you take the stage, it’s like you glitter bomb the stage. Listen, I think one thing I personally would like to see from you is not one piece of glitter the next time. I know that’s gonna be hard.”

Perry’s remarks didn’t sit well with the live audience at Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa, who began to boo her. The audience reaction caused Lionel Richie to exclaim, “Whoa, hostility!” while Luke Bryan expressed his delight, saying, “Yes! Katy got booed. Katy got booed.”

Perry, however, shrugged off the audience’s response and offered an explanation for her comment, saying, “OK, first time in six seasons, woo hoo! But what I’m saying is that, I’d like you to flip the script. I think we want to be pulled in by our hearts too. I’d love to see that, and I think America might too.”

For more than 20 years, the successful ABC series American Idol has been loved by viewers across the globe. Numerous contestants have showcased their talents on the show, some going on to become established musicians and singers over time. In season 21, a group of promising contestants took the stage and performed for the show’s iconic judge trio, which includes pop sensation Katy Perry, Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Lionel Richie, and country superstar Luke Bryan.