Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Lopez Join 'American Idol' Judges Panel
Fox's long-running reality singing competition show "American Idol" had set their judges panel for the upcoming season. The only judge returning form last season will be Keith Urban. And who will be by his side on the judges panel? Fox announced earlier today that Urban will be joined by Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr.
Fox's chairman of entertainment Kevin Reilly released a statement about the casting decision.
"'American Idol' has always been about discovering the next singing superstar, and next season our judging panel will deliver a most impressive combination of talent, wisdom and personality to do just that: Jennifer Lopez, the triple-threat global superstar who loves and whom 'Idol' fans love; Harry Connick Jr., a bona-fide musical genius and fantastic 'Idol' mentor whose honesty and expertise can help turn these hopefuls into stars; Keith Urban, a multi-Grammy-winning artist who was such a positive force on the show last season," he said.
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"We are also very excited to have our friend Randy Jackson now in a new role as mentor, and the captain of our team – the heart and soul of 'Idol' – Ryan Seacrest returning as host," the statement continued.
Last season judge's Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj have moved on from the show, and there have been some internal staffing changes as well. Two executive producers, Nigel Lythogoe and Ken Warwick, are not returning to the show, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Lythogoe took to Twitter to explain that there are no hard feeling between himself and "American Idol."
"It's not a personal thing," he said in a posting Saturday on his Twitter account. "They just feel IDOL needs new leadership after 12 Seasons," the former "American Idol" executive producer tweeted.
