'American Idol' 2014 Season 13 Judge: Harry Connick, Jr,. Named, Joins J-Lo & Keith Urban [REPORT]
Singer Harry Connick, Jr. will be named the third judge for American Idol season 13 according to a report.
The Hollywood Reporter reported on Friday that Connick, Jr. will join Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban at the judges' table when the season premieres in January, 2014.
A source shared the news after American Idol producer Simon Fuller threw a private event attended by the cast of season 13. Connick joined original judge-turned-mentor Randy Jackson and returnees Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez at Fuller's party held at Bouchon in Los Angeles.
Ryan Seacrest teased Idol fans there would be an upcoming announcement soon. The show's host wrote on Twitter on Friday: "Got some @AmericanIdol news for you coming very soon..."
Fox has yet to confirm the report of Connick joining the judges' table in January, 2014.
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The singer/actor previously appeared on Idol as a performer and mentor. His apppointment came on the heels of reports that FOX tried to hire music producer Dr. Luke, but he could not finalize his deal with the network because it posed conflict of interest.
According to a previous report from The Hollywood Reporter, Dr. Luke's deal fell through because he signed an exclusive deal with Sony Music back in 2011. The deal posed as a conflict of interest because as a judge on Idol, he'd be developing talent for Sony's competitor, Universal Music Group.
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The same report also revealed there was a concern that not hiring a third judge before Labor Day would have caused a delay in the show's production-- the audition process for season 13 begins on Sept. 3.
