Another former winner, Season 2’s Ruben Studdard, as well as the runner-up that season, Clay Aiken, also indicated to E! News that they would answer ABC’s call. Whoever American Idol ultimately chooses, there’s one important factor in naming Katy Perry’s replacement, according to Lionel Richie, who said:

However, her departure from the show has given rise to a discord between the two remaining judges. A source privy to the sets of the ABC show, recently dished out to The National Enquirer, per RadarOnline,

There’s no harmony on the American Idol set as Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan clash over who should replace exiting judge Katy Perry on ABC’s hit singing competition, insiders exclusively tell Life & Style.

Remaining 'American Idol' judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan are at odds with each other over Katy Perry's replacement.

As host Ryan Seacrest read off the names of the six competitors who got the most votes, Harper was among them – along with Emmy Russell, Jack Blocker, Julia Gagnon, Carter and Moseley. McKenna Faith Breinholt and Kaibrienne didn’t make the initial cut; Perry had won the judges’ contest, so it fell to her to save one of them. She chose Breinholt.

Lionel Richie has two of pop music's biggest stars in mind as possible replacements for his fellow "American Idol" judge Katy Perry.

Lionel Richie said he wants Taylor Swift or Kelly Clarkson to replace Katy Perry as a judge for ‘American Idol’ season 23

After Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken's exit from The Masked Singer, the duo told E! News if they'd be interested in returning to American Idol as a judge.

Ryan Seacrest recently got candid about Katy Perry's impending departure from American Idol after seven seasons as a judge. The popstar shared the news of her leaving on Jimmy Kimmel Live back in February.