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As Katy Perry's tenure on American Idol comes to an end, her fellow judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie as well as host Ryan Seacrest are contemplating who could potentially serve as her replacement.
Entertainment Tonight caught up with the judges after Monday's (April 22) show to see who they think could replace Perry when she leaves at the end of the season. One major name that was on everyone's minds was Meghan Trainor, who appeared on the episode as a coach.
"I think Meghan's always been real fun. You know, that's kinda been her brand, to have fun," Bryan said. "[She's] real witty, so certainly."
Seacrest agreed that Trainor was "very good" during her appearance on the show, adding, "Megan is a super talent, too, and she's got a great sense of humor. She's fun and she's spontaneous."
The show's producers are seemingly still in search for Perry's replacement as they will have big shoes to fill given the "Firework" singer served as a judge for seven seasons. Richie said the biggest requirement for whoever takes over for Perry is that they need to be able to have fun and spar with their fellow judges.
"It's gotta be fun, but no ego. Because we're gonna insult each other so much," he said. "And when you're with Luke, he doesn't know he's killin' ya."
Despite Bryan thinking Trainor could be a nice fit, he said that he has at least "10 names" of who he would like to see behind the judge's table. Richie, however, would be interested in having the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson, return as a judge.
"I've got my list, but Kelly, if you don't have anything else to do, I'd like to drop that out there," he said. "I'm a big fan."
Perry announced last year that she is leaving Idol at the end of the current season after serving as a judge for seven seasons, and she recently shared some of her reasons behind her decision.