Katy Perry Declares Ariana Grande “best singer of our generation”

Katy Perry has spent seven seasons on American Idol searching for the best vocalists in the country, but according to her, only one singer is the blueprint: Ariana Grande. On the red carpet following the competition series’ season 22 finale Sunday (May 19), the “Firework” musician said that this year’s newly crowned Idol winner, Abi Carter, reminds her of the former The Voice coach. “[Carter’s] voice is unlike anything I’ve heard in pop music,” Perry told Extra.

“The last time I said that, I said that about Ariana Grande when she went on The Ellen Show,” she continued. “Like, ‘Oh, this girl is the best singer of our generation.’ I don’t say that lightly.”

The close of Idol‘s latest season marks Perry’s final turn as a judge. She, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have served on the panel since the ABC show was rebooted in 2018. The singer will now set her sights on crafting her next record, which will follow up 2020’s Smile. “I’m pregnant with my next album,” she joked to Extra, teasing that the project is coming soon.