American Idol will return in January for a 14th season on FOX.

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Days ago, FOX announced the singing competition would premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m., followed by the new hip-hop drama, Empire, at 9 p.m. Around the same time, the season's in-house mentor was revealed.

"Teresa LaBarbera-Whites, former Senior Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records, has been named the new in-house mentor, replacing Randy Jackson," The Idol Pad reported last week. "She becomes the first female to occupy the role which Jimmy Iovine originated and held from seasons 10-12."

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Returning as judges for season 14 are Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick, Jr. and Keith Urban. Lopez and Connick Jr. were brought aboard the series ahead of season 13, replacing Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, who left the show after just one season. At the time, Randy Jackson also left the judges table, but remained on the show as the in-house mentor until he resigned earlier this month.

Earlier this month, Jackson, who appeared on season 13 as a mentor, released a statement, confirming his exit from American Idol. It read, via CBS News, "I'm proud to have been a part of a series that discovered some incredible artists and will go down in history as one of the most successful television shows ever. A true original, Idol started it all. Onto what's next."

Adam Lambert, the show's season eight runner-up, will be seen briefly as a judge on season 14. After Urban's wife, Nicole Kidman, lost her father, Urban took a short leave from the show, and was temporarily replaced by Lambert.

Ryan Seacrest, who signed a two-year deal with FOX in May, will also be returning to American Idol for season 14.

Below is a clip from the upcoming season.

Tags
American Idol, Fox, Reality TV, Randy Jackson