American Idol contestant still 'traumatized' by Katy Perry's response to him three years later

Katy Perry has unknowingly had a permanent residency in a former American Idol contestant’s ‘nightmares’ ever since she made this critique about their performance.

Adriel Carrion auditioned for the iconic ABC singing competition series when he was only 18 and recently took to TikTok to reveal how the moment still haunts him.

During his audition for season 19, Carrion took to the stage to sing in front of the ‘Hot N Cold’ singer, who was definitely ‘cold’ about one song that contestants kept performing.

Funnily enough, the song – ‘Watermelon Sugar’ by Harry Styles – was the exact song that Carrion had prepared.

Queue the shock and horror.

Carrion shared a clip of Perry declaring: “We have officially banned everyone from singing ‘Watermelon Sugar’.”

After fellow American Idol judge Lionel Richie asks the contestants what song they were going to sing, Carrion and his companion Anthony Guzman teased they had lined up a ‘sweet’ duet.

“We’re going to do something sweet for you,” Guzman said coyly.

The Grammy Award-nominated pop star’s eyes widened as she replied: “Not ‘Watermelon Sugar'.”

ABC

The camera managed to capture Carrion’s hilarious immediate reaction, with his bold smile turning into frightened frown.

“I can’t take another ‘Watermelon Sugar’.” the ‘Smile’ singer joked.

Carrion filmed a selfie video in February and spoke about how the exchange on stage became his ‘nightmare’.

"It’s the way that it’s been three years, and I’m still traumatised by this moment,” he quipped.

"I can be getting my beauty rest and all I hear in my nightmares 'Not ‘Watermelon Sugar’." Carrion continued.

We can't really blame contestants for covering the behemoth fruity hit single from the former One Direction singer, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in August 2020.

Not only is it extremely catchy and cheeky, it's a huge hit.

Perry, 38, has served as a judge since ABC revived American Idol in 2018 for its 16th overall season. She is tasked with finding America's next music superstar, along with Richie and Luke Bryan.

The 21st season debuted last week.

Last month, the chart-topping 'California Gurls' performer admitted she made a huge mistake by deciding to not work with Billie Eilish early in her career.

ABC

In a TikTok shared by Los Angeles radio station 102.7 KIIS FM on Friday (29 January) Perry spoke to an audience about snubbing Eilish and her song 'Ocean Eyes'.

The musician was sent an email about a new artist for Perry’s record label, Unsub Records.

“It was a song called ‘Ocean Eyes’ and it was just a blonde girl and I was like ‘Meh, boring.’

“Big mistake. Huge mistake.”

She then joked: “Don’t let this hit the internet!"