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Mariah Carey Quits ‘American Idol’

Mariah CareyMariah Carey has quit American Idol.

The 43-year-old singer has confirmed she will leave the show after just one season in order to undertake a world tour following the success of her latest single "Beautiful."

Mariah retweeted a message from her PR representatives which read, "W/ global success of ''#Beautiful'' (#1 in 30+ countries so far) @MariahCarey confirms world tour & says goodbye 2 Idol http://mariahcarey.com (sic)."

Along with the tour, Mariah has a number of other projects this year. "The rest of this year is jam-packed with Mariah putting the finishing touches on her much anticipated forthcoming album, headlining the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular and appearing in Lee Daniels's The Butler, opening in August," her representative said.

Mariah is the second judge to confirm their departure from the American Idol panel after Randy Jackson, who was the only original judge remaining on the show recently revealed he made the decision not to return next season because he wants to focus on his other interests. "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," he says. "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."


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Keith Urban Wants to Return to ‘American Idol’?

Keith UrbanKeith Urban has no idea if he is returning to American Idol next season.

The 45-year-old Australian country singer - who is married to actress Nicole Kidman and has two daughters Sunday Rose, four, and two-year-old Faith Margaret - has hinted that he hopes to be invited back to the show's judging panel because he loves working with new artists.

"I did as much as I could in the environment we had. I love artists. I love the beginnings of artists when all they've got is raw talent and nothing else. I have no official information of anything. I'm pretty much in the same boat as everybody else here with the rumors that have been floating around. I don't know anything more about what's happening next season. It was like this before I signed on... so it's not unusual for the Idol folks to be in this place of figuring out what they want to do, then they always pull it together."

Jennifer Hudson is the only celebrity confirmed for next season. Current judges Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson have already confirmed they are leaving the show, and Mariah Carey is reportedly not planning to return either.


Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson for ‘American Idol’ Panel?

Jennifer Hudson and Kelly ClarksonFormer American Idol contestants Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson are set to return to the show as judges. Kelly - who won the first season in 2002 - and Jennifer - who placed seventh in 2004 - have been approached by producers to join the panel of the new series after they decided to replace Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban. Veteran judge Randy Jackson recently quit the show and bosses want to return to a three person format, with Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert among those who have been approached to take the final spot.

"Nothing is final yet, it's 95 per cent there. The alum panel will be Fox's attempt to reignite ratings by bringing back Idol faces that the fans care about. It's Idol stars guiding the next generation," a Fox source told E! News.

Click to continue reading Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson for ‘American Idol’ Panel?


Nicki Minaj Leaving ‘American Idol’

Nicki MinajNicki Minaj is set to quit American Idol after one season. The "Moment For Life" singer has reportedly decided not to return to the reality show's judging panel because she wants to focus on her own music career.

"It's safe to say she isn't coming back to Idol. She's okay with it. She had a great time but was only going to do one season anyway," a source said.

The 30-year-old rapper joined the show alongside fellow new judges Keith Urban and Mariah Carey, and veteran judge Randy Jackson, who recently confirmed he is leaving the show. It was previously revealed that producers want to see the show return to a three-judge format next season for the first time in five years in a bid to combat the show's declining ratings.

Kevin Reilly, Fox's entertainment chairman, also revealed all of the judges, including Nicki, had been invited back. Speculation was rife as to whether Mariah and Nicki would return for a second season after a series of explosive public rows. Mariah was said to be planning to quit because of their vicious spats.


‘American Idol’ to Return to Three Judge Format

Current panelists and host of 'American Idol'

American Idol is returning to a three judge format. The singing competition's 13th season will have a diminished panel for the first time in five years in a bid to combat the Fox show's declining ratings.

Kevin Reilly, Fox's entertainment chairman, also revealed current judges Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj had been invited back, despite veteran mentor Randy Jackson deciding to leave the panel. "The format will have fresh twists for next season," the TV boss said. Kevin went on to hint the expanded middle rounds were likely to be revamped since he believes they are responsible for dwindling viewing figures.

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Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez for American Idol?

Justin Bieber and Selena GomezJustin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Pink and Diddy are being lined up for the new season of American Idol.

Producers on the show are reportedly desperate to sign up the quartet to replace current judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Keith Urban after ratings fell dramatically this year.

"It's been a lackluster season for Idol and everyone involved with the show is well aware of it so that's why producers are franticly working on lining up big name stars for season 14. There's more drama going on behind the scenes of the show than on the stage, and that's why there's a major overhaul in the works. A telling sign was that the highlight of the season was Mariah and Nicki's explosive feud that was leaked on the web - and that was before the season even aired. Producers have been trying to recreate that buzz ever since and it hasn't worked - the public isn't buying it. The judges don't have real chemistry, and there's no real standout contestant," a source said.

The source additionally explained the choice in choosing the rumored new judges:

Click to continue reading Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez for American Idol?


‘American Idol’ Planned to Swap Mariah Carey with J-Lo?

Jennifer Lopez and Mariah CareyAmerican Idol producers secretly plotted to replace Mariah Carey with Jennifer Lopez. Bosses were keen to see the return of "On the Floor" singer Jennifer midway through the show's current season but, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter, once they were threatened with legal action by Mariah's team they backed off.

The insiders added a search has already begun to replace Mariah, Nicki Minaj and possibly even the entire judge's panel - which also includes Randy Jackson and Keith Urban - for the next season.

Mariah was a huge signing for the show, but has proved less popular with viewers on the show than Jennifer, who appeared in the previous two seasons, was. Mariah's comments and criticism have been criticized as passive and disengaged, and she has been overshadowed by Nicki on the show.

However, another source says research has shown Nicki's performance on the show has not been as popular as expected, adding, "The core viewer is a Midwestern, Southern, older woman who is threatened by Nicki's aggressiveness."

Click to continue reading ‘American Idol’ Planned to Swap Mariah Carey with J-Lo?


Nicki Minaj Storms Off ‘American Idol’

Nicki MinajNicki Minaj threatened to quit American Idol after her favorite act was voted off the show. The "Starships" rapper - who sits on the singing competition's judging panel with Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson - was left fuming after singer Curtis Finch Jr. landed in the bottom two and was sent home Thursday night.

After host Ryan Seacrest announced that Curtis and fellow contestant Devin Velez had garnered the least viewer votes, an angry Nicki pleaded, "I definitely think Curtis should not be in the bottom two. I mean, I love Devin but I think that Curtis, if you look at every one of his performances, I mean - come on, America, are you kidding me? Curtis, if you go home, I go home."

The 30-year-old musician stayed true to her words, jumping out of her judge's seat and attempting to storm off set as Curtis was eliminated, but she was instructed to return to her chair by fellow judge Randy Jackson.

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Nicki Minaj Late to ‘American Idol’ Due to Traffic

Nicki MinajNicki Minaj was late for American Idol last night because she was stuck in traffic. The judge appeared to miss the evening's first performance by Curtis Finch Jr., but while she wasn't in her seat to give him her thoughts on his singing, he claims she heard him.

"During the performance, she was backstage," Curtis - who performed Fantasia's "Believe" - told E! News. He added the star almost ran into her as he stepped off stage, adding, "It was literally like, 'Step, step, step, curtain, Nicki. And she was like, 'Good job today.' To see her backstage was comforting."

Some of the other contestants noted Nicki has fallen foul of Los Angeles' notoriously bad traffic before. "It's not the first time and probably not the last. But I'm OK with it. I love Nicki," Paul Jolley said.

Burnell Taylor, who sang Westlife's "Flying Without Wings" on the show feels Nicki has earned the right to be late if she chooses: "I mean, when you look that good, you have to be late."

Click to continue reading Nicki Minaj Late to ‘American Idol’ Due to Traffic


Keith Urban’s Home Life Was Good ‘Idol’ Preparation

Keith UrbanKeith Urban's all-female household prepared him well for American Idol.

The 45-year-old singer - who sits in between warring pop divas Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey on the panel of the singing competition - revealed that living in a "literal oestrogen nest" with wife Nicole Kidman and their two daughters, Sunday Rose, four, and Faith, two, helped him handle the on-set antics between his fellow judges.

When asked how he copes with Mariah and Nicki while on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday, his Hollywood starlet wife quipped, "A four year old and a two year old and a wife, a lot of girls in our household."

Keith added, "A literal estrogen nest is where I live."

Click to continue reading Keith Urban’s Home Life Was Good ‘Idol’ Preparation


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