“American Idol” finalist Oliver Steele is coming to Katy Perry’s protection after critics referred to as her a ”bully” for feedback she made towards contestants on Season 21 of the present.

“Katy isn’t a bully, nor does she disgrace individuals,” he wrote through Instagram Saturday, alongside two footage of himself with the “Roar” singer.

“I bear in mind being nervous at my audition, nervous throughout Hollywood week, hell even nervous all through varied factors within the competitors,” Steele, 25, continued.

“Katy has an unimaginable potential to not simply inform what emotional state you’re in, however to have the ability to inform what’s holding you again.”

Whereas Steele says he loves “all of the judges,” he believes Perry, 38, was “capable of look into my soul and inform precisely what was troubling me” or what he was scuffling with.

“It’s one factor to show somebody to imagine of their potential, which the judges are fabulous at. Katy jogged my memory to imagine in who I’m as an artist. She challenged me to push myself, to tackle challenges that made me uncomfortable,” he added.

“I’m a greater musician and artist after Katy Perry pushed me to imagine in my potential, and to exceed my limitations.”

Steele additionally addressed rumors that the “Scorching N Chilly” singer was planning to depart “American Idol” as a consequence of all of the backlash.

Although he mentioned he doesn’t “essentially know what’s true and what’s not,” he hopes Perry stays on the hit ABC competitors collection.

“You’re a guiding gentle, an unimaginable trainer. And also you made me imagine that I’m my very own hero. Thanks for all the things. ❤️,” Steele concluded.

The contestant’s put up comes per week after experiences surfaced that Perry wished to give up her gig as a decide on “American Idol” as a result of she felt she was misrepresented by the present.

Based on the Each day Mail, the pop star believes she has been repeatedly “thrown beneath the bus by producers” who she feels have edited the present to make her seem like the “nasty decide.”

For extra Web page Six you like …

All through Season 21 of the collection, Perry — who has been a decide on the present for six seasons — has been criticized for feedback she made towards a number of contestants.

She was accused of “mom-shaming” Sara Beth Liebe after joking that the 25-year-old mom of three had been “laying on the desk an excessive amount of.”

And in April, Perry was booed by the viewers when she bashed contestant Nutsa Buzaladze’s outfit alternative.

“Nutsa, each time you’re taking the stage it’s such as you glitter bomb the stage,” she mentioned. “Pay attention, one factor that I want to see from you isn’t one piece of glitter the subsequent time. I do know that’s going to be arduous.”

Later that month, the “Final Friday Evening” songstress was slammed by viewers who declare she was disrespectful towards one other singer following the elimination of her favourite contestant, Elijah McCormick.

Regardless of the backlash, Web page Six completely reported earlier this month that Perry was brushing the drama off.

“Katy isn’t fazed by the backlash,” a supply instructed us. “This has been a roller-coaster season with plenty of nice expertise, so she is simply doing her job.”

The insider added that Perry “has a novel humorousness that will not at all times translate effectively on digital camera, however she by no means has any ailing intent.”