The next season of American Idol has yet to premiere but the newest judge, Harry Connick, Jr., already has a reputation of being a little cruel, Seattle PI has reported.

After slightly dissing Mariah Carey and the previous judging panel of the show, Connick is now said to have said some pretty harsh things to Hollywood contestants.

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He told one group, "If this were a football game, you lost this game. Technically, all four of you should be cut."

He also told another group they should try singing in unison because in harmony they are "all out of tune anyway."

One girl tried to defend the group and vowed that "it won't happen again" when Connick replied, "It may not."

Connick defended his "tell it like it is" judging style and said that he is giving the contestants the truth, which is the best thing for them and it is actually helping them.

"As a kid, when my teachers would critique me and it happened every day for years and years and years. You develop a tolerance for it, especially when it's right and when it's sincere and when it helps you."

Though it might seem like Connick's way of judging seems familiarly like American Idol's former notable judge Simon Cowell, Connick doesn't appear to think so.

In a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Connick spoke on Cowell's judging and said, "Simon and I don't have a whole lot in common. I think we was fantastic, but he's very different...You can't tell people that you didn't like it and not tell them why."

American Idol's 13th season debuts on FOX Wed. Jan. 15.

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American Idol 2014