American Idol is going to look a little different on May 7 when Alanis Morissette and Ed Sheeran join Luke Bryan as guest judges to fill in for Katy Perry and Lionel Richie, who will be traveling overseas to perform at King Charles III’s coronation.
“I’m grateful I get to go. I met His Majesty-to-be a few years ago and he named me as one of the ambassadors to his organization, The British Asian Trust, which is an organization that helps fight to end child trafficking,” Perry told Entertainment Tonight. “So I’m also an ambassador for UNICEF, and it really aligned with my values. That’s mostly why I’m going, to be an ambassador and to say, ‘Hey, this is me from the USA.’ No, but it’s so cool.”
Richie told the show that he was “blown away” by the opportunity to perform and be a part of the U.K.’s first coronation in 70 years.
“I’m walking in history,” he said.
ABC revealed the guest hosts on May 1. Perry and Richie will also be checking in with live updates from all the festivities at Windsor Castle.
For Bryan, he is anxious waiting to meet his new temporary co-workers.
“I think it will be a fun, new look,” he told ET. I’m excited to meet them. I hadn’t ever had the chance to spend some time with them but it will be fun moment and I’m honored that they agreed to be a part of it. With Lionel and Katie going to England, we were wondering what to do and I think what we chose to do is perfect.”
This is the first “Idol” appearance for both guest judges and they will each perform. Morissette will undoubtedly sing one of her many hits and Sheeran will sing his new single, “Boat.”
Colin Stough, Haven Madison, Iam Tongi, Megan Danielle, Oliver Steele, Warren Peay, Wé Ani and Zachariah Smith will be mentored by Morissette and perform her songs live. The top eight will also team up to duet some of Sheeran’s hits.
“When we’re up there, we’re speaking from the heart. And Alanis and Ed, they’ll do that also, Bryan told PEOPLE in a group interview after the last show. “They’re obviously seasoned in every aspect of the industry. It’s funny, over the years, Lionel and Katy probably can almost predict what I’m going to say. So it’ll be interesting that I’ll be up there with people I can’t predict exactly what they’re going to say.”
Contestants like Steele are looking forward to working with some of their musical influences.
“The first song I ever learned how to play on the acoustic guitar was ‘The A Team.’ I had his poster on my wall in high school,” Stell said. “He is one of four of the most important artists who impacted my life.”
Perry said she loves the reaction from the contestants.
“I idolize Alanis,” she said. “Jagged Little Pill is the reason I do music… These are two people who always stay true to themselves and are real so I think it’s awesome to have them as judges.”
American Idol airs live on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.
