Summary
- Disney Night on American Idol is a favorite theme for fans, with contestants singing beloved Disney songs and Katy Perry dres as the characters.
- Katy has had memorable looks, from princesses to villains, and brings her distinct personality to every character she portrays.
- Katy's tradition of dres in Disney costumes has delighted fans for the past five years and transforms the American Idol stage into the Happiest Place on Earth.
Disney Night has become a favorite on long-time American Idol judge Katy Perry will wear. Katy dresses up as the characters and takes on their personas, making the night entertaining and exciting. Katy has had some memorable looks, from princesses to villains and everything in between.
Since American Idol was revived by ABC in 2018 after its 2016 cancellation by FOX after 15 seasons, Disney Night has been a favorite theme in the competition series, and the contestants sing some of the most beloved Disney songs. As one of the American Idol season 22 returned in February 2024. For the past seasons of the American Idol reboot, Katy has delivered tons of Disney fun. Whether live in the theater or broadcasting from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, she brought her distinct personality to every character. Revisit all of Katy's looks from American Idol's Disney Night.
American Idol Season 16
Snow White

American Idol
- Release Date
- 2002 - 2016-00-00
- Showrunner
- Nigel Lythgoe
- Franchise(s)
- American Idol
Cast
- Brian Dunkleman
During the first American Idol Disney Night, Katy dressed up as Snow White, wearing her iconic dress with her blue and red puffed sleeves and long yellow skirt. Katy wore a black wig for Snow White's raven hair, complete with her signature red headband. She also had Snow White's high white collar and red lips. Throughout the episode, she took on Snow White's persona, speaking in her sweet, high-pitched voice.
American Idol Season 17
Ursula the Sea Witch
During American Idol season 17, Katy turned things upside down and dressed as the villain Ursula the Sea Witch, the purple octopus from The Little Mermaid. Katy immersed herself in the costume, painting her face purple and carrying a glass of shrimp cocktail. She had Ursula's iconic white hair and blue eye shadow and wore the gold seashell necklace where she kept Ariel's voice. Katy's sparkly black and purple tentacles completed the ensemble.
American Idol Season 18
Mrs. Jumbo
American Idol season 18 was unprecedented because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The contestants performed from home while the judges critiqued their performances remotely. For the Disney episode, which was combined with a Mother's Day theme, Katy dressed up in an elephant costume as Mrs. Jumbo, the mother of Dumbo. Katy's dog, Nugget, even played the role of Dumbo. What made this moment even sweeter was that Katy was preparing for motherhood herself at the time because Katy was pregnant with her and Orlando Bloom's daughter, Daisy Dove.
American Idol Season 19
Tinker Bell
American Idol season 19 returned triumphantly to the studio when the performers could sing for live audiences again. Katy made everyone's wishes come true in her costume of Tinker Bell, the fairy from Peter Pan. She wore a short, glittery lime green dress with a matching purse and shoes. She also had iridescent fairy wings and carried a magic wand. With her blonde hair and pointy ears, Katy looked like Tinker Bell. She made the night so magical that everyone felt like the theater had been sprinkled with pixie dust.
American Idol Season 20
Ariel
Katy's season 20 costume was one of her most outrageous. She was dressed as Ariel from The Little Mermaid, complete with a seafoam green fin and a plastic wig that made it appear like Ariel's red locks were flowing in the water. She carried a fork, or, as Ariel would call it, a "dinglehopper." Katy's fellow judges, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, even had to wheel Katy onto the stage on a dolly because of her mermaid tail.
When she reached her seat, host Ryan Seacrest began to speak, but suddenly, there was a loud crash. Katy had fallen backward in her chair as it tipped over, but she was not injured. However, it was one of the most hilarious moments of the night. Later, Katy stayed in character and pretended to be a terrified Ariel when Top 10 finalist Nicolina performed villain Ursula's signature song, "Poor Unfortunate Souls."
American Idol Season 21
Elastigirl
Katy Perry stole the show on American Idol's Disney Night as Elastigirl from The Incredibles in season 21, rocking a skintight red latex bodysuit, red wig, and signature black mask. The esteemed judge brought the superhero mom to life with accuracy and flair. It was great to see Katy continuing to go all out with the Disney theme night, which is fun for audiences.
American Idol Season 22
Cinderella
American Idol season 22 was Katy's last one with the show. She dressed as Cinderella, coming out on stage dressed in the pink gown created by the mice and birds from the animated film, but which was destroyed and left in rags by her stepsisters when they tore it up. As Cinderella's Fairy Godmother's song "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" played, Katy pulled a ribbon on the dress, and it transformed into the silver ballgown that she wore to the ball.
It was a magical moment for Katy's final Disney Night. She also wore a blonde wig with a light blue headband, sparkling dangling earrings, and a black choker. The finishing touch was when Katy left behind a glass slipper on stage as she headed toward the judges' table.
American Idol Disney Night has gifted audiences with some of the most outstanding performances in the show's history. Katy's tradition of dres in Disney costumes delighted fans for seven years. No matter her role, Katy transforms the American Idol stage into the Happiest Place on Earth.
Source: American Idol/Instagram

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American Idol
- Release Date
- 2002 - 2016-00-00
- Showrunner
- Nigel Lythgoe
- Franchise(s)
- American Idol
Cast
- Brian Dunkleman
American Idol is a reality singing competition that adds to the international "Idol" brand, conceived initially in the U.K. as Pop Idol. Holding massive auditions across the U.S., American Idol invited several contestants to perform in front of a of judges that would determine whether or not they'd go on to future rounds for a chance at competing in the fully televised premiere of the show. Contestants are voted off each week by American participation via voting through various mediums, and the winner of the competition would be given a contract with a record label to secure a future as America's next musical idol.
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