Palermo

Palermo is a character appearing in the XY series, who is a former judge of Pokémon Showcases and a former mentor of Aria before she became the Kalos Queen.

Pre-series
An unknown amount of time ago, Palermo used to be a judge at Pokémon Showcases. Due to unknown circumstances she quit being a judge, although it is implied she quit because of a lack of talented contestants. Although she was hesitant to go, Palermo returned to the world of Pokémon Showcases at the Coumarine City Rookie Class tournament. Palermo also had some involvement in Aria's rise to stardom as the Kalos Queen.

Season 18: XY Kalos Quest
Palermo was first seen in her limousine that was on its way to the Coumarine City's Showcase. She was welcomed by several reporters who wanted to ask her questions but she refused to answer those questions and went to her room high up in the theatre, not being pleased to watch the Showcase. When the Showcase began, she said that there won't be any talented Performers like Aria. She watched the whole Showcase, including Serena's loss in the first round.

When the Showcase was over, Palermo returned to her hotel room and was talking to someone at the phone. She said that she was displeased about the fact that there weren't any Performers up to her standards. She was sitting at the limousine when she passed the beach where Serena was crying about her loss with her Fennekin and Pancham. She recognized Serena as the girl who failed her performance in the first round. Palermo watched the Serena until her car drove again. Her assistant asked Palermo if she found someone and Palermo lowered her glasses and said that it was a secret.

Season 19: XYZ
As Palermo was passing by Couriway Town, she noticed Serena and remembered Serena was the girl she saw cutting her hair back in Coumarine City.

Palermo contacted Aria through the laptop, after the dance party was over. Aria told Palermo about Serena and Sylveon, who seemed quite refined, talented and elegant as a Pokémon Performer. Palermo admitted she also had a candidate, who had a lot of potential as a Performer, even reminded her as Aria in her younger days. Just then, Aria was needed elsewhere and logged out of the computer.

Palermo will meet up with Serena in person, specifying Serena has to find out the truth about the Performers, else she will never be able to defeat Aria.