Jennifer Hudson has reportedly signed the contract to be a judge on American Idol for the show's 13th season.

Hudson's deal has been confirmed by multiple sources close to the show, according to E! News on Friday. The singer is the first person to go from the Idol stage to the judging panel. Hudson was a contestant on the third season of Idol, and controversially came in seventh place after a shocking elimination.

This news comes days after Enstars reported that Idol producers were looking to bring in an all alumni panel for season 13.

In addition to Hudson, the show's producers have approached first-season winner Kelly Clarkson for a deal. E! confirmed Friday that Clarkson is close to signing on.

Season two runner-up Clay Aiken and season eight runner-up Adam Lambert are also being discussed as potential judges.

"It's Idol alums bringing in the next generation," said one source at Fox.

Neither Fox nor Idol producers have commented on the new judging panel, which is nonetheless expected to be completely different from the current one.

Idol saw a sizable decline in ratings for this year's 12th season. The show's finale on May 16 was down eight million viewers from last year's finale. Sources close to the show, in addition to journalists, have noted that the judges have failed to catch on with the public.

Hudson has become one of the most successful Idol alums, winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2007 for her performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls. She has also had roles in such films as Sex and the City and The Secret Life of Bees.

Most recently, Hudson had a recurring role on the second season of Smash on NBC.

Hudson sang Inseparable with newly-crowned Idol winner Candice Glover on the May 16 finale of the singing competition show.

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Jennifer Hudson, American Idol judges