Get ready to see the Hiphop barbie and the popular Country singer, because they will soon hit a TV screen near you. Fox announced Sunday morning, that Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban have been selected to join Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey as judges for the 12th season of American Idol.
Minaj, Carey and Urban was tapped to replace Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, who left American Idol at the end of last season. There were speculations that Jackson, who is Carey’s manager, might leave the American Idol judge’s panel to become an advisor for the show, but those reports were put to rest after he signed a new deal to remain. The panel will join host Ryan Seacrest in New York City today, where auditions for American Idol will begin before heading off to other cities, Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, San Antonio, Baton Rouge and Oklahoma City.
“I am thrilled about this year’s judges panel,” said Mike Darnell, Fox president of Alternative Entertainment. “With an unparalleled star like Mariah, fan-favorite Randy, chart-toppers like Nicki and Keith and our incomparable host Ryan, we’ve put together one of the most exciting judging panels around.”
Urban is a four-time Grammy award-winning country singer, who has sold more than 15 million albums throughout his career, while Minaj is a multi-platinum rapper, songwriter and singer,
The new season of American Idol starts next January.
