Harry Connick Jr. American Idol Gig? Singer Approached To Join Season 13
Harry Connick Jr. has been approached to join American Idol next season.
Connick Jr. appeared as mentor on Thursday's show. He confirmed to E! on Friday that the show runners expressed interest in the singer becoming a permanent fixture.
"It's a fun show. It's been talked about before, who knows what'll happen in the future," he said. "What I've done thus far on the show has been really fun, so I've had a great time."
Connick Jr. revealed that he was first approached during Season 9. He was also in an advisory role for the contestants.
"The last time I was here, I was so flattered that they were kind of talking about it," he said. "And it didn't work out. There were a lot of things going on their side and a lot of things going on my side with just stuff. It's hard to make a commitment like that."
The New Orleans based singer joked that it would take $600 million for him to join the talent show. However, if he did join, he did share what kind of judge he would make.
"I think you need to be completely honest, and I think you need to be diplomatic," he said. "I think there's no reason to be mean, but it is called being a 'judge.' You have to judge. That's what you do."
If Connick Jr. were to join the Fox show, it would mean that one of the current judges would be on their way out. Rumors have been swirling that Idol executives have not been pleased with the performance of Mariah Carey as a judge. It was alleged that the show wanted to replace her with Jennifer Lopez. Fox denied the claim.
"This is just another ridiculous Idol judge rumor, likely started by talks of Jennifer performing on the finale," a Fox spokeswoman said on April 23.
Carey's uncertainty with the show continued this week after another altercation with fellow judge Nicki Minaj on Thursday. The rapper took to Twitter and belittled the Honey diva. Minaj called Carey bitter and insecure.
"Bwaha! Burn? She's sad I tied her record for Hot 100 entries in only 3 years of being in the game," Minaj tweeted. "Yep, a black female rapper."
