Fox has officially announced that Keith Urban will return to American Idol next season. Last seasons’ fellow judges, Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey will not be back.
During the Television Critics Association Press tour, Fox entertainment head Kevin Reilly confirmed "Keith is going to return to the show. The fans really liked him. Keith is a really funny guy."
The Hollywood Reporter notes Reilly also addressed rumors that Jennifer Lopez, who was a judge from 2011-2012, would return.
“Most of the thing is true," he said about the negotiations being at a halt because of money. “There have been discussions, but there is no deal," he said.
For Season 13, the show will likely go in a new direction. Nigel Lythgoe has been fired as executive producer. "It really became too much about the judges," Reilly admitted. "We want some comfortable judges to make it comfortable to view."
It’s been rumored alumni such as Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert could be joining the judging panel, too.
image: FOX