After a year of record low ratings, American Idol is going to have to hit the restart button. With it almost guaranteed that none of the judges from season 12 will be back, there’s a possibility that the first winner, Kelly Clarkson, could be joining as a judge. Jennifer Hudson, who didn’t win the show but does have an Oscar, is also reportedly in talks.
On Thursday, Vulture did report that Hudson, who was a finalist in season three, is in talks to join Idol as a judge. Clarkson, who won the show's first season, is also being considered.
E! News claims that Fox is also looking at Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert, two finalists who didn’t win but remain popular, for the last position at the judge’s table. Producers want to take Idol back to the three-judge format, since Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson are all leaving.
Idol is in dire need of action that will rejuvenate the show. Last week’s season 12 finale, which saw Candice Glover walk away as the winner, drew the lowest finale rating in the show’s history. Even the publicity gained from Minaj and Carey’s fights couldn’t help the ratings.
“The show's producers feel they've lost their core audience,” the Wrap’s insider said. “And they want to bring back former contestants in order to tell their core audience, 'We love you.' They know they've made some major mistakes over the past few seasons and they want to make it right with their fans.”
An insider for E! claimed that the deals are “95 percent there.”
Reps for Fox, Clarkson and Hudson have not confirmed the reports.
UPDATE: Clarkson's rep denied the reports to Perez Hilton.
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