American Idol producer Wylleen May will not return for season 23 of the hit singing competition show.
May has served as the executive in charge of production since the show’s inception in 2002.
Fremantle, the production company behind American Idol, fired her after season 22, which concluded on May 19.
“It is difficult to express the gratitude I have towards the Fremantle team and American Idol, the place I have known as my home for the past 22 years,” May said in a statement to Deadline On Wednesday.
‘It may sound cliché, but it was an absolute honor for me to work day in and day out with people who I consider some of the most talented, dedicated and devoted in the business. I will miss you a lot.’
American Idol producer Wylleen May will not return for season 23 of the hit singing competition show; Judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan with host Ryan Seacrest in 2024
She shared her gratitude for being able to contribute to American Idol’s lasting legacy, but admitted she’s “sad to leave.”
‘I will always cherish my time with Idol and hope to be remembered for my experience, passion and dedication to my role. All we want for ourselves is to know that our work had a lasting impact,” he continued.
‘I’m excited about my next trip and what it will bring. Sometimes you need a little push and I’m grateful for everything: the beginning, the middle and the end.’
May made sure to address the circumstances surrounding the HR investigation she was involved in in late 2023 over her alleged interactions with team members.
‘Unfortunately, my departure has been the subject of hurtful speculation and insinuations. Yes, in late 2023 I was the subject of an HR investigation following a complaint about how I interacted with certain members of my team.’
He continued: ‘I cooperated fully and completely with this investigation and it was quickly closed with no action taken.
“The decision to move me to a new EIC is unrelated, and any implication to the contrary is completely misleading and inaccurate.”
A Fremantle spokesperson would share the company’s gratitude for her service on the series, while confirming her comments that the HR investigation had nothing to do with the decision to change the EIC position.
‘Wylleen has played a crucial role in helping build the lasting legacy of American Idol across 22 seasons. “She led the production to lasting success and we are deeply grateful for her contributions and dedication to the show,” the spokesperson said.
Like May, Fremantle also maintained that “the decision to make personnel changes for next season was not based on the conclusion of any (human resources) investigation.”
May had been with the American Idol team since its original launch prior to the June 2002 premiere on Fox, as well as the series’ revival on ABC in March 2018.
This most recent 22nd season also marked the end for Katy Perry, who has worked as a judge with Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan since the ABC show’s reboot.
May has served as the executive in charge of production since the show’s inception in 2002; Judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell with host Ryan Seacrest in 2005
This most recent 22nd season also marked the end for Katy Perry, who has worked as a judge with Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan since the ABC show’s reboot.
So far, there has been no official word on who Perry’s replacement could be.
Created by Simon Fuller and based on a British format, American Idol began in 2002 with judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell, along with Ryan Seacrest as host.
The original trio of judges remained intact for the first eight seasons, but the panel ended up seeing several changes that included the addition of people like Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey, Nicki Ninaj, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. until its cancellation after the fifteenth season in 2016.
When ABC revived the show in 2018, Perry, Richie and Bryan were brought in as the new group of judges.