Entertainment Weekly files their own report on the judges rumors.
First, Simon Fuller gave them a statement:
“There will be several positive announcements to follow shortly,” Fuller told EW in a statement. “American Idol is moving up a gear and with the help and commitment from Fox, who are more intimately involved and supportive this season than ever before, we are looking forward to a dynamic new season ahead.”
EW independently confirmed:
- Randy Jackson won’t be leaving American Idol, but he won’t likely be a judge either. Unless HE decides to leave, or negotiations with potential judges fall apart, he will move into a mentor like role. Fox and producers would like to make a judges panel clean-sweep for the 2013 season.
- Nicki Minaj is near a deal to join the show as a judge.
- The third spot, is most likely going to country music star Keith Urban.
- If “Fox and producers decide to go full throttle, for a fourth spot” it will be is Spanish singer-songerwriter Enrique Iglesias. Hanging in there with an outside chance, Idol veteran Adam Lambert “is still in the mix.”
I heard a rumor that the judges rounds would begin around September 22. If that’s true, I would expect a press conference during premiere week, beginning September 12. But, it could be sooner.
