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| Nicki Minaj (Photo by lastfm) |
Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are joining "American
Idol" as judges for the singing competition show's 12th season, Fox
announced today (Sept. 16). They will be sitting at the judges' table alongside
Mariah Carey and returning judge Randy Jackson.
Minaj's role on the show has long been rumored, with
multiple seats opening on the panel this year after two-season judges Jennifer
Lopez and Steven Tyler both left the show. There was previous speculation that
Urban could be named a judge, although Nick Jonas, Pharrell Williams and
Enrique Iglesias were also reportedly under consideration.
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| Keith urban (photo by lastfm) |
Mariah Carey to Judge 'American Idol'
"With the exciting addition of Mariah Carey, Keith
Urban and Nicki Minaj, alongside Randy Jackson, 'American Idol's' star power
has never been so great," executive producer Simon Fuller said in a press
release.
Earlier this month, country star Urban spoke at Metro
Nashville Public School program, and addressed the "American Idol"
rumors. "I would love to do it and hopefully that happens," he said.
"I did get to do a similar role in Australia for 'The Voice,' and I really
enjoyed it. The thing about those shows is that mentoring aspect... it's about
passing it on."
The announcement was made at the last possible moment, as
all four judges will be filming the show's first auditions today in New York
City. Upcoming auditions, hosted by the show's 12-season host Ryan Seacrest,
will also be held in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, San Antonio, Baton Rouge
and Oklahoma City.
Carey was added to the panel in June, saying that "it's
going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back with
'American Idol.'" At one point it was rumored that Jackson would be
leaving the judges' table to act as a mentor, however Fox has confirmed that he
will be returning as a judge for his 12th season on the show.
The series returns to Fox's primetime schedule in January,
after the network's other singing competition series, Simon Cowell's "X
Factor," wraps.
Source: Billboard.com
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