Lionel Richie on Finding Out Katy Perry Was Leaving 'American Idol': 'My Phone Blew Up'

Lionel Richie's "phone blew up" after Katy Perry announced her plans to exit American Idol.

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the R&B legend, 74, opened up about his experience finding out that the "Firework" singer, 39, was leaving the reality TV singing competition.

"I'm not mad — it just made me run off the road when I first heard about it," Richie laughed, adding: "My phone blew up."

While he didn't know about Perry leaving before she announced the news on Jimmy Kimmel's show last week, he said "it makes sense."

“In other words: The reason I love coming on the show with you and the reason I’m doing American Idol is because I have 400 years of stories and a life in the music business. I have things that I’ve done," he told the host, 56.

Richie added: “And so when Katy says, ‘I want to go and create some stories,’ remember, she’s young. But the point is that you have to take some time and actually be an artist.”

When asked if he knew who would be replacing the 13-time Grammy nominee, Richie said he wasn't sure.

“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. “Only because, I’m telling you something, this is a great show. And what I love most of all is that we’re artists, so we know what we’re talking about, and these kids are scared to death, so I love sitting there as the wise poo-bahs, the three of us, and we’re sitting there and we’re all kind of giving information that we know is real.”

The "Deep River Woman" performer continued: “So 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.”

Perry announced her plans to leave American Idol after seven seasons on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last week as she revealed she was working on several projects, including new music, due in 2024.

“I think this probably will be my last show, my last season for Idol,” she confirmed. “I mean I love Idol so much. It’s connected me with the heart of America, but I feel like I need to go out and feel that pulse to my own beat, you what I’m saying Jimmy?” she added, winking at Kimmel.

When asked her fellow Idol judges Richie and Luke Bryan thought about her departure, the "Last Friday Night" artist quipped, “Well they’ll find out tonight!” 

Perry added that her American Idol colleagues “know that I have some things planned for this year,” adding, “So it’s going to be a very, very exciting year … for all popstar girlies!”

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She also shared her adoration for Bryan, 47, and Richie: “I love them so much.”

Perry also explained that the duo knew about her plans to move on from Idol after seeing her “in the studio."

“They figure I’ve been in the studio for a while so they figured something is coming,” she added. “I love the show so much but I wanna go and see the world and maybe bring new music.”

Kimmel pressed the pop star about her replacement on the Fox show to which she replied: “Let’s just say I’m creating space for my new wingspan."