In a crazy summer of American Idol judge rumors, reports are now saying Randy Jackson will no longer be a judge. According to a report from TMZ, a source said Jackson will not be a judge but he will not leave Idol for good. Instead, he will serve as a mentor for the contestants. If this turns out to be true, there will no longer be any original Idol judges on the show.
According to the source, producers are worried about the change and there “some concern among the brass that Jackson is not well-suited for the mentor role.” However Idol still wanted to have Jackson involved in some way because “he’s the glue that helps keep the show together.” There has been no official commentary on the change from Jackson or “American Idol” but Idol creator Simon Fuller did hint at some new casting changes.
“There will be several positive announcements to follow shortly,” Fuller said to Entertainment Weekly. “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.”
As the media speculates on Jackson’s fate on Idol, yet another celebrity has reportedly been offered a position as an Idol judge. According to a report from the National Inquirer, teen heartthrob Justin Bieber was approached to be a judge and Idol producers were ready to cough up $25 million, $7million more than Mariah Carey’s salary.
“That’s because executive producer Nigel Lythgoe’s so hot on Bieber he approached him even before Steven Tyler announced he was quitting,” said a source. “Nigel was willing to make Justin the highest-paid judge ever! Why? Because he’s convinced he’d bring in a younger demographic and put the show back in the No. 1 position.”
But Bieber declined due his “upcoming commitments and touring.” According to the report, Idol producers are considering other young stars for the position including Carly Rae Jepsen and Nick Jonas.
