Katy Perry stuns in 20ft tall dress featuring the faces of 168 American Idol contestants as she bows out of the show after seven seasons - and drops a hint about her replacement

Katy Perry found a touching way to commemorate her time on America Idol as she bowed out of the talent competition on Sunday after seven seasons as a judge.

The pop star, 39, took to the stage in a gigantic, towering 20ft tall dress that featured the faces of every top 24 contestant that appeared on the show during her tenure.

The frock ultimately featured a total of 168 faces on it and was so elaborate that it took a team of seven people to transport it around the set.

'I thought a good way to honor my time here would be to put the top 24 of each season on my skirt so they were all there,' the Part of Me hitmaker told Entertainment Tonight.

'It was a fun surprise because I was raising up and you just saw more and more contestants.'

On Sunday, Katy Perry took to the stage in a gigantic, towering dress that featured the faces of every top 24 contestant that appeared on the show during her tenure

The frock ultimately featured a total of 168 faces on it and was so elaborate that it took a team of seven people to transport it around the set

Perry also opened up about who her replacement could be on the hit singing series. 

While she didn't name anybody specifically, the songstress said that she hopes her successor will be outspoken. 

'I hope it's someone fearless. I hope it's someone that doesn't mince their words, maybe someone a little polarizing just like myself,' she said.  

Perry got emotional while stepping onto the stage on Sunday for her last episode as a judge on American Idol on ABC. 

The pop superstar wore a strapless and sleeveless metallic top with seven roses for her seven seasons on the show, along with a long white skirt.

She held hands with fellow judges Luke Bryan, 47, and Lionel Richie, 74, while being introduced by host Ryan Seacrest, 49.

'It was a fun surprise because I was raising up and you just saw more and more contestants,' she said

Sunday marked Perry's final night as a judge on the talent competition after seven seasons

'Are you crying?,' Seacrest asked after Perry bowed her head.

'We're going to miss you,' the host said as he hugged Perry. 'Already emotional tonight.'

Perry, Bryan and Richie then acknowledged screaming fans in the audience before taking their seats for the live show.

The three-hour finale featured finalists Abi Carter, Jack Blocker and Will Moseley competing to win season 22.

Jon Bon Jovi, 62, served as special mentor for the finalists during the three-hour finale.