What Jelly Roll Really Thinks About Joining 'American Idol' as Katy Perry's Replacement

Jelly Roll, Katy Perry

Recently, Katy Perry declared that Jelly Roll should replace her on American Idol after she wraps up her seventh and final season as a judge. The country crooner caught wind of Perry's praise, and now, he has officially responded.

On May 4, Jelly Roll publicly reacted to Perry name-dropping him as her potential replacement at iHeartRadio's iHeartCountry festival.

"I love you, Katy Perry," he told E! News at the event. "Find you a friend that talks about you like Katy Perry talks about me in the media. Thank you, Katy Perry. I love you to death."

The "Need a Favor" singer also lauded the "Firework" songstress for being authentically herself regardless of the environment.

"She's the same person privately as she is publicly," Jelly Roll added. "Because every time I've seen her, she's like you need to be on American Idol. And the first time somebody asked her it was y'all and she was like ‘Jelly Roll.'"

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As of writing, ABC has not announced a replacement for Perry. A few famous names are reportedly in the running, including Jennifer Lopez and Taylor Swift, the Daily Mail reported in February. Meanwhile, American Idol Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks decided to shoot her shot via X, writing, "Oh hiiii@AmericanIdol—I hear a seat opened up at the judges table! I’m putting my name in the hat! "

That same month, fellow American Idol host Lionel Richie appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and shared what he knew about the singing competition vacancy—which wasn't much.

"You know, they are keeping tight-lipped because I don’t even know, but I’m telling you… It’s gonna be really interesting," he said. "Whoever’s coming on the show has got to be, well, to come past Katy, you’ve gotta be humorous forever, and, on top of that, knowledgeable."

Next: Jelly Roll and T-Pain Join Forces to Perform Touching Tribute for Toby Keith