‘American Idol’ Season 21 Contestant Beckett McDowell Quits: ‘It Was My Choice’

Viewers of "American Idol" were treated to a regal surprise Sunday evening in the form of two newly crowned royals while watching the latest live episode of the long-running competition show. Phoning in from across the pond and broadcasted on a big screen were judges Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, taking a night off from critiquing performances to give ones of their own. Both Perry and Richie were tapped to perform at King Charles' coronation concert.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s unexpected cameo during Sunday’s “American Idol” was almost as big a surprise for Ryan Seacrest as it was for everyone watching.

The King and Queen appeared on American Idol as surprise guests amid the coronation celebrations.

American Idol welcomed royalty onto the show on Sunday evening, with King Charles and Queen Camilla making a surprise appearance alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. Judges Katy, 38, and Lionel, 73, appeared via video link on American Idol as they missed this week's show due to performing at the Coronation Concert in the UK, and chatted to host Ryan Seacrest about the historic celebrations taking place in London.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla's unexpected cameo during Sunday's was almost as big a surprise for Ryan Seacrest as it was for everyone watching.Following Sunday's new episode of, Seacrest spoke with ET's Denny Directo, and explained how quickly the high-profile cameos came together.«I have to tell you, I was driving in and my phone rings and it's the executive producer and she says, 'Well, we've got some news,'» Seacrest shared. «I thought maybe something happened [with a contestant].

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at Large Lionel Richie and Katy Perry weren’t able to perform their normal tasks as judges on Sunday night’s “American Idol,” as they were across the pond performing for the coronation of King Charles III. So they brought back a souvenir for the show: The actual just-crowned King and Queen. King Charles III and Queen Camilla were surprise guests on “American Idol,” in a pre-taped package introduced at the start of the show by host Ryan Seacrest. The clip opens with Richie and Perry, in a room that appears to be inside Windsor Castle. Suddenly, in walks the King and Queen. “I just wanted to check, how much, how long you’ll be using this room for?” King Charles quipped to Richie. Charles then thanked Richie for attending and performing at the coronation. “Thank you so much for your brilliant performance and it was great,” he said.

Ryan Seacrest has been the host of  since its inception in 2002 — for a total of 21 seasons, and counting! — but there a time when he was actually considered to be a judge alongside Simon Cowell.During an appearance on her eponymous talk show, Kelly Clarkson brought up a fun fact about Seacrest and the singing competition show, telling the 48-year-old TV host that she found out he was originally almost going to be a judge. Seacrest confirmed the nugget and then explained how he became the host.«Yeah, originally when the producers — Nigel [Lythgoe] and Ken [Warwick] — were setting up the show, they had heard me on the radio here in Los Angeles and they thought that I might fit the panel to be up there with whoever else was already on. I guess Simon [Cowell] was already on board and I don’t know who else at that point,» Seacrest explained.

The Masked Singer is back!

Is Katy Perry doing her best to ignore the American Idol critics???

Katy Perry is going to miss out on the next episode of American Idol as she’s been “temporarily” replaced — and social media is in a frenzy from the news!

waging “psychological warfare” on contestants.Don’t get your hopes up, haters: Perry and co-judge Lionel Richie are only out temporarily as they head to the UK to perform at the coronation for King Charles III. Sheeran, 32, and Morrissette, 48, were announced as the “big time” guest judges on Sunday’s episode of “Idol” and will join country star, Luke Bryan, as the competitors are whittled down to the top 5.

American Idol, Katy Perry learned the hard way that just because she’s a Grammy-nominated, chart-topping pop superstar, that doesn’t mean an audience will always love her.The singer drew some serious heat from the crowd at the latest live taping in Hawaii after she gave a piece of her mind to contestant Nutsa Buzaladze, who has developed a following thanks to her must-see, energetic performances.Buzaladze once again delivered an electrifying showing, this time of the song “Paris (Ooh La La)” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. While those in attendance seemed on board with what the singer showcased, Perry had a bit of somewhat harsh criticism to share.“Nutsa, every time you take the stage, it’s like you glitter bomb the stage,” Perry told the potential star musician.

in a viral Reddit thread after telling contestant Michael Williams that he might be going home following his performance of Selena Gomez’s “Lose You to Love Me.” “You sang ‘Lose You to Love Me,'” said the host. “We might lose you tonight.” The comment sparked an immediate backlash against the TV personality and mogul. “‘We might lose you tonight’ was so nasty omg,” commented one Reddit user.

SPOILER ALERT – Do not read ahead if you haven’t watched the latest episode of American Idol!

SPOILER ALERT – Do not read ahead if you haven’t watched the latest episode of American Idol!

Julianne Hough said this week that when she dated former "Live" host Ryan Seacrest more than a decade ago, he introduced her to the world of fine wine.  "When I was 21, I actually ended up dating your former host, and he's very much into wine," the professional dancer and actress told Kelly Clarkson on her show Thursday while the two sampled Hough's wine brand. Hough was referring to "American Idol," which Seacrest hosts and where Clarkson was discovered.  "He's got, I think, a winery in Napa and in Italy," Hough added.

A perfect match on screen — and off! Kelly Ripa couldn’t be more proud of husband Mark Consuelos for nailing their first week of Live With Kelly and Mark.

igniting the light and letting it shine.Katy Perry was booed on “American Idol” Monday night for trying to dim a contestant’s sparkle.The 38-year-old “Firework” singer advised “Idol” hopeful Nutsa, 26, to switch up her glimmering silver dress, matching boots and pop diva dance moves for a more stripped-back show after the contestant performed a high-energy cover of “Paris (Ooh La La)” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.“Nutsa, every time you take the stage it’s like you glitter bomb the stage,” Perry started her critique.“Listen, one thing that I would like to see from you is not one piece of glitter the next time. I know that is going to be hard.”“Liner, maybe. Just the [glitter] eyeliner,” Nutsa compromised on the feedback.

Making his own name! Beckett Rex impressed the judges and viewers at home during season 21 of American Idol — but quit the show after making it to the Top 26.

Beckett Rex was one of the finalists on American Idol but viewers won’t get to witness his talents as the singer dropped out of the competition.