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There’s another empty spot on the American Idol judging panel as Randy Jackson follows his colleagues out the studio door becoming the latest casualty of the singing competition.
After his 11-season tenure, the 56-year-old is now making room for a clean sweep and instead will take a page from Jimmy Lovine to act as a mentor to the contestants on the show.
Jackson was the only original judge left on the panel since it premiered in 2002 and the TMZ website has announced that Keith Urban, a coach on another singing competition, The Voice Australia, is in talks to replace him, expecting to earn almost $4 million.
With both Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez both announcing their exit from the Fox reality TV contest, a stream of celebrities have been linked to the show in pre-season buzz, but so far, singer Mariah Carey is the only one confirmed for the upcoming season. But according to sources, season 12 will see a four-person panel.
According to The Hollywood Reporter Katy Perry turned down a record $20 million offer from Idol stating: “It’s not right for me yet.”
Fox has been mum on further details about season 12 judges. American Idol will air early next year.
