American Idol producer Wylleen May will not return for season 23 of the hit singing competition show.
May has served as Executive In Charge Of Production since the show’s inception in 2002.
She was let go by Fremantle, the production company behind American Idol, following season 22, which wrapped up on May 19.
‘It is hard to express the gratitude I have to the team at Fremantle and American Idol, the place I knew as home for the last 22 years,’ said May in a statement to Deadline on Wednesday.
‘It may sound cliche, but it was my absolute honor to work day in and day out with people I consider to be some of the most talented, dedicated, and devoted in the business. I will miss you terribly.’
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 be leaving.’
‘I will forever cherish my time with Idol, and hope I am 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,’ she continued.
‘I am excited for my next journey, and what that will bring. Sometimes you need a little push forward, and I am grateful for all of it – beginning, middle, and end.’
May made sure to address the circumstances related to the HR investigation she was involved with in late 2023 over her alleged interactions with team members.
‘Unfortunately, my exit has been the subject of hurtful speculation and innuendo. Yes, at the end of 2023, I was the subject of an HR investigation following a complaint about how I interacted with certain members of my team.’
She continued, ‘I fully and completely cooperated with this investigation, and it was closed quickly without any action taken.
‘The decision to move on from me to a new EIC is not related, and any implication otherwise is completely misleading and inaccurate.’
A Fremantle spokesperson would share the company’s gratitude for her service on the series, while also confirming her comments about the HR investigation having 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 over the course of 22 seasons. She steered the production to enduring success, and we are deeply grateful for her contributions and dedication to the show,’ the spokesperson said.
Like May, Fremantle also maintained the ‘decision to make staffing changes for the next season was not based on the conclusion of any [HR] investigation.’
May had been with American Idol team since its original launch ahead of the June 2002 premiere on Fox, as well as the series revival on ABC in March 2018.
This most recent season 22 also marked the end for Katy Perry, who worked as a judge with Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan since the show’s ABC’s reboot.
May has served as 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 season 22 also marked the end for Katy Perry, who worked as a judge with Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan since the show’s ABC’s reboot
So far, there’s been no official word on who might be brought in as Perry’s replacement.
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 in tact for the first eight seasons, but the panel ended up seeing several changes that included brining in the likes of Kara DioGuardi, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Mariah Carey, Nicki Ninaj, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. until its cancellation after the 15th season in 2016.
When the show was revived by ABC in 2018, Perry, Richie and Bryan were brought in as the new set of judges.
