'American Idol' 2013 Judges for Season 13 'Definitely Gone:' Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson & Keith Urban Not Returning?
All four judges from American Idol's season 12 - Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban- will not be return to the judges' table this fall, according to reports.
A source close to the situation told The Wrap that "all four are gone" because the FOX network feels "they've lost their core audience and they want it back."
Ryan Seacrest, the show's original host, will remain but the show's original producer, Nigel Lythgoe, will also "get the boot," the source shared. All four judges have a clause in their contract with the option to return next season but the network will reportedly not honor it. Carey's $18 million salary and Minaj's $12 million paycheck means "no more big checks for divas," said the source.
Another source close to the show confirmed the report to E! News, saying all four judges are "definitely gone" from FOX's singing competition.
Jackson told E! News on May 9 that he was leaving the show, but on his own account. The music producer quit and said the following:
"Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season. I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."
A FOX spokesperson declined to comment on both reports but the E! News source said the network will make the announcement at the network's Upfronts event in New York on Monday.
Season 12 has seen the lowest ratings since the show began, according to The Wrap report, so the show's overall format will change next season with FOX Broadcasting chairman Kevin Reilly becoming more involved with "fixing Idol." The show's Tribute Nights will be cut in the upcoming season while the audition episodes will stay.
American Idol peaked during season 6, when Idol garnered almost 30 million viewers per episode. This season, the show has seen a 22 percent drop - it attracted only 11 million viewers.
