Katy Perry and Lionel Richie Ditching American Idol for King Charles?
Both American Idol judges Lionel Richie and Katy Perry will have the honor to sing for the Coronation Ball in honor of King Charles III on Sunday May 7, the day after his coronation.
Spot the problem? A live coast to coast American Idol episode is set to air in Los Angeles on the same day. Can y’all say double booked? Turning down the King for any reason would be hard (Not for Sir Elton John, Harry Styles and Adele, reportedly). But pondering further, do the judges actually need to be there? Bring on Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson to sit in for them. PROBLEM SOLVED. Disney is probably delighted to be able to brag that TWO of the show’s judges will be singing for royalty. Maybe the pair can call in live from London and say hello!
The Coronation Concert set for Windsor Castle
In addition to Katy and Lionel, British pop group Take That, opera star Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer/songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer/producer Alexis Ffrench are some of the artists who will grace the stage at The Coronation Concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle on Sunday 7th of May, the BBC confirmed.
They are part of an eclectic line-up of artists who will perform at the event celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen in front of 20,000 members of the public and invited guests, as well as millions watching and listening at home – on BBC One and BBC iPlayer as well as BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds – with further names due to be announced shortly.
The concert will celebrate a new chapter in the nation’s history, with themes of love, respect and optimism, celebrating the four nations, their communities and the Commonwealth.
“To share the stage with the other performers at The Coronation Concert is a once-in-a-lifetime event”
Lionel was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. The singer/songwriter was appointed as The Prince’s Trust’s first Global Ambassador and Chairman of the Global Ambassador Group in 2019. Lionel said in a press statement, “To share the stage with the other performers at The Coronation Concert is a once-in-a-lifetime event and it will be an honor and a celebration.”
Katy was appointed an ambassador of The British Asian Trust, a charity founded by The King when Prince of Wales, in 2020, due to her long-standing commitment to charities around the world, including as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and her own Firework Foundation, whose mission is to empower children from underserved communities by igniting their inner light through the arts.
“I am excited to be performing at the Coronation Concert, and helping to shine a further light on the British Asian Trust’s Children’s Protection Fund, whose work includes on-ground initiatives to fundraising, with the aim to find solutions to child trafficking,” said Katy.
The artists will be backed by world-class musicians including a 70-piece orchestra and house band comprising the Massed Bands of the Household Division and the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra.
Alongside the stars of the concert, the show will also see an exclusive appearance from The Coronation Choir. This diverse group will be created from the nation’s best community choirs and amateur singers from across the United Kingdom, such as the Portishead RNLI sea shanty choir, farmers, cab drivers and reggae choirs.
