'American Idol' Keith Urban, Will.i.am and Jennifer Lopez to Judge Upcoming Season 13 on FOX

 

 

'American Idol' Keith Urban, Will.i.am and Jennifer Lopez to Judge Upcoming Season 13 on FOX

 

'American Idol' has had rumors swirling about the upcoming judges for Season 13 on FOX with names from P. Diddy to Jennifer Hudson. 

They had their worst year in ratings since the shows start in 2002 and there was constant bickering between the judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj. 

Judge Randy Jackson had been there since the start, but both he and the Idol execs felt like it was best that they move in a different direction after the conclusion of this past season (Season 12). 

"The Voice" has past them up in TV ratings and got the Emmy nod over "American Idol" for the reality spot for the second straight year this year. While the bad chemistry on "American Idol" was hurting the show, the great chemistry between the judges on "The Voice" (Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Shakira & Usher) was a highlight of the show and believed to really help the ratings.

"American Idol" has decided to shake things up going into this next Season 13 by firing founding producers Nigel Lythgoe and Fremantle Ken Warwick and heading in a new direction by hiring Blankens and Den of Thieves. 

Other current judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj will move on from the show, leaving only Keith Urban under contract as judge for next season. The producers were leaning towards having only 3 judges for the upcoming season with two guys and one girl. 

With Urban's spot locked up, "American Idol" was back in talks with Jennifer Lopez, who was almost brought in mid-season to replace Mariah Carey last year. 

"Idol" execs had tried to put together an Idol-alum panel of judges, but after Kelly Clarkson turned them down, they decided to go in another direction. Jennifer Hudson was also in the discussion but since the All-Idol panel is not going to happen, it is thought they would choose Lopez over Hudson in the end. Will.i.am was the other male name on top of the list. He has been a judge on "The Voice" in U.K. 

Today, sources close to the show have confirmed that the judging panel will in fact be Will.i.am, Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez for Season 13 of "American Idol". Ryan Seacrest will again be back to host the show as usual, this next season will be the last on his current contract. 

Do you think this new line up of judges will help out the shows ratings or is "American Idol" old news?

Even with the lowest rated season of "American Idol" last year, the talent of the Top 3 with Candice Glover, Kree Harrison and Angie Miller was arguably the best they have had. So it will be tough to find that good of talent again for this season as well.