Katy Perry returns to American Idol after giving birth to baby daughter

Katy Perry has returned to the set of American Idol for the first time since giving birth.

The Smile singer, 35, welcomed her first child with actor Orlando Bloom in August.

Perry wore a distinctive black and white puffed sleeve ensemble, complete with matching wide-brimmed hat, as she was reunited with fellow judges Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan and host Ryan Seacrest.

Air hugs all around, @LionelRichie @RyanSeacrest @katyperry @LukeBryanOnline! We are SO happy to be back on set, safe and sound, and ready to find the next superstar! 🎬🎶🤩

Think it's YOU? You can still sign up to audition at https://t.co/fO1Nc6FxSs. pic.twitter.com/wVbXReznTE

— American Idol (@AmericanIdol) October 7, 2020

A post from the show on Twitter said: “Air hugs all around, @LionelRichie
@RyanSeacrest @katyperry @LukeBryanOnline!

“We are SO happy to be back on set, safe and sound, and ready to find the next superstar!”

The judges will now sit at separate tables, rather than at one long table, to allow for social distancing.

The road to Hollywood is 6 ft longer this season. Our search begins… again! #TheNextIdol pic.twitter.com/f8zBngoZRy

— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) October 7, 2020

Seacrest gave fans a look behind the scenes at the auditions as he showed how the show is using social distancing in an online video.

He wrote: “The road to Hollywood is 6 ft longer this season. Our search begins… again!”

Perry, who released her latest album just days after giving birth, has previously spoken about her experience of returning to work as a new mother.

Popular misconception: being a mom isn’t a full time job 🙃🍼🤪

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) September 25, 2020

She wrote on Twitter: “Popular misconception: being a mom isn’t a full-time job.

“Part 2: when a mom finally goes back to work (whatever profession they do) it’s not like they been coming from months of ‘time off…’ she’s coming from a full time job… of being a mom, lol.

part 2: when a mom finally goes back to work (whatever profession they do) it’s not like they been coming from months of “time off...” she’s coming from a full time job... of being a mom, lol.

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) September 25, 2020

“Part 3: call your mom and tell her you love and appreciate her and advocate for paid family leave!”