On Monday night, Collins and Jayna Elise were sent home

Lionel Richie; Roman Collins. PHOTO: MONICA SCHIPPER/GETTY IMAGES; DISNEY/ERIC MCCANDLESS/GETTY

Roman Collins, the fan-favorite who was saved by judges last week, has been sent home.

During the Monday, April 23 episode of American Idol, fans of the show were shocked when host Ryan Seacrest announced that Collins and Jayna Elise were sent home. After the show, PEOPLE caught up with judges Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie to discuss the results.

“Roman brings so much energy. Roman gives you that when you finish, you are rung out. It’s a spiritual experience,” Richie, 74, tells PEOPLE exclusively. “And when you know you’ve left the concert and you’re emotionally worn out, that’s Roman.”

Reflecting on his elimination, Richie says he’s confident in Collins’ future.

“I’ll say Jennifer Hudson was thrown off at number seven. So the possibility of superstardom, I believe it exists,” he continues.

Richie adds, “I could take the top 14 and make a whole business out of the whole business. I mean, it’s unbelievable what we attract on American Idol. And I would not let that whole class go. It’s that beautiful. I mean, it’s kind of frightening because every time they would finish, Luke and Katy and I would look at each other and go, ‘I’m glad I don’t come behind that.'”

Roman Collins and Lionel Richie.DISNEY/ERIC MCCANDLESS/GETTY

Elise and Collins had both been spared by the judges the previous week, but now the fate of each contestant lies in the hands of viewers tuning in from home.

“The bottom line is, it’s not always about what we personally agree with, but he was a fantastic singer with a great spirit,” remarked Bryan, aged 47. “He was undeniably talented, and every week, we’re faced with the difficult task of saying goodbye to contestants who truly touch our hearts.”

Following Monday’s episode, the contestants who remained in the competition included Abi Carter, Emmy Russell, Jack Blocker, Julia Gagnon, Kaibrienne Kayko, McKenna Faith Brienholt, Mia Matthews, Triston Harper, and Will Moseley.

On Sunday, April 22, Gagnon impressed the judges and guest mentor Gene Simmons with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Run to You.”

“Your transformation and growth from day one to the present day is truly inspiring to witness, and it’s a testament to why this show has endured for so long,” commented Bryan.

“You are a perfect example that you can take this experience, gain confidence, and stand tall on stage for the rest of your life. That was truly amazing.”

“American Idol” airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Lionel Richie Jokes He and Luke Bryan Will Have to ‘Kidnap’ Katy Perry After Her American Idol Exit

“This relationship is forever,” Richie tells

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan on ‘American Idol’. PHOTO: DISNEY/ERIC MCCANDLESS

After Monday night’s episode of “American Idol,” Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan took a moment to reflect on their final season together on the show, particularly as Perry’s departure approaches.

Following the episode where America voted 10 contestants into the next round and left others in the danger zone, the judges discussed their quick decision-making process in saving four contestants to move forward. They noted that after seven seasons together, they’ve become adept at making these decisions on the fly.

“We don’t really have time [to discuss] in the moment,” Bryan, 47, explained. “We pretty much have a commercial break to figure it out.”

Perry, 39, chimed in, “I don’t know about you, but I’m following along the whole time thinking about who I’m going to save. So I’m prepped with my homework, Luke.”

Bryan, in jest, responded, “Let’s just say she’s being a little facetious in that role.”

Interrupting their banter, Richie, 74, became emotional as he confessed that what he would miss most after Perry’s departure are these moments.

“These are some of the things we’re going to miss about Ms. Perry,” Richie said, to which Perry humorously interjected, “Don’t cry for me yet.”

Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan on ‘American Idol’.DISNEY/ERIC MCCANDLESS

He continues, “But I’m just going to say truthfully, it’s those moments when Luke and Katy get together.”

Then, Perry insisted that even though her time on the show is coming to an end — it doesn’t mean their bickering is “going to stop.”

“I think the group chat is still going to live on forever,” the “Firework” singer says, revealing that their group chat name is “The Judgmentals.”

The “Hello” singer then joked that he may need to work up a plan to kidnap her — that way she’ll never leave.

“We’ve kind of developed a little family and what’s happening now is that we keep talking about her leaving but it hasn’t registered yet,” he says. “So I think as it goes on, Luke and I will probably get together and realize that we’re going to kidnap her.”

Richie also says that as someone who’s “been here for a hundred years,” it’s refreshing to work with people like Perry and Bryan.

“What these two have done for me is that they’ve renewed my faith in mankind because seriously, you can have a train wreck in five minutes. It just takes the wrong attitude, the wrong ego, the wrong misunderstanding, and you’ve got a train wreck,” he says. “And I have had so much fun and I just hope to continue. This relationship is forever.”

On Monday night, the judges decided to save contestants Jayna Elise, Jordan Anthony, Nya and Roman Collins. Meanwhile, America voted through Abi Carter, Emmy Russell, Jack Blocker, Julia Gagnon, Kaibrienne, Kayko, Mckenna Faith Brienholt, Mia Matthews, Triston Harper and Will Moseley.