Staying present, grateful: Katy Perry prepares for her final weeks as 'American Idol' judge

HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES -- We're just a month away from the finale of the latest round of "American Idol." There is a bit of melancholy lingering over things this season because Katy Perry has announced she will be leaving her place at the judge's table.

Since 2017, we've been talking with Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie about "American Idol," for what's now the seventh season.

Through Katy's various haircuts and outfits - even through Covid - we all kept on the "Idol" beat. And every year, the judges critiqued, and then America crowned the winner in the competition.

Perry is coming up on the end of her "Idol" run next month, but she is moving ahead with nothing but fond memories.

"I've learned a lot. It's been so wonderful this growth for myself personally. I'm going to utilize it in the future ... I used to shoot a little bit more off the cuff, shoot from the hip, and now I understand there's a lot of different dynamics, a lot of things to be considered when you're speaking. Words are really powerful," said Perry. "If you don't give them that feedback, they're not gonna get better. They need a coach, and coaches aren't always peachy keen jelly bean. I really hope whoever comes to the show continues to speak their mind constructively, that's really important for me. It helps these kids sharpen up."

After all they've been through as a team, fellow judge Luke Bryan told me he'll miss Katy by his side.

"From season one, where she and I didn't really know each other to really respecting what each other does, it's been really fun," said Bryan. "She's just a pro. She's just a pro at being herself."

Perry told us how she's preparing for these final weeks on the "Idol" set: "I'm trying to stay really present, really intentional, really grateful."