A source close to Fox has officially confirmed that Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban will be axed from American Idol.
The expected judging shakeup follows Idol alum Randy Jackson’s decision to leave the show after multiple reports suggested he too would be given the ax.
An insider tells E! News that the judges are “definitely gone.”
Rumors of an AI shakeup first surfaced after The Wrap reported that not only would Minaj, Carey, Urban and Jackson be canned, but that executive producer Nigel Lythgoe would also be fired.
"They feel they've lost their core audience and they want it back,” a source tells The Wrap.
Sources suggest that producers plan to reformat the way the reality show works and will no longer hire big names with massive salaries.
Ryan Seacrest is expected to retain his job as host.
The report first surfaced earlier this week, even before Jackson confirmed that he would not return. Fox is keeping tight lipped on their plans and refuses to comment on the rumors at this time.
Image: Fox