Between Tamyra Gray's shocking elimination and Kelly Clarkson's come-from-behind win, the show's first string of episodes played out like a reality TV fairy tale.
Now that Upfronts 2015 have entered the scheduling phase, we thought most of the major renewals, cancellations and pickups had delivered their biggest surprises. Not so apparently, as FOX has decided to put American Idol out to pasture after 15 seasons, ending the reality singing competition for good next year.
It looks like Ryan Seacrest will soon be the only original member of 'American Idol' left on the show. The Hollywood Reporter is saying that former judge Randy Jackson has announced that he is officially leaving 'Idol' for good.
E! News has confirmed that singer Harry Connick, Jr. will join Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez as the third judge on Fox's "American Idol" when it returns for a 13th season in January.
Connick has served as a mentor and a guest judge on the show, and says of judging, "I think you need to be completely honest, and I think you need to be diplomatic...
In a move which surprised absolutely no one, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson announced that he will be leaving the reality talent show at the end of this season.
So what's Randy Jackson doing with his time since he's not returning as a judge on American Idol? Apparently, he's working with a singer from Star Factory, Russia's version of American Idol. I've been told it's a cross between Idol and X Factor. Meet Troy Harley.
They’re competing for a similar demographic, so it only stands to reason that the ‘American Idol‘ judges might not be on the friendliest of terms with their counterparts on NBC’s upstart hit ‘The Voice.’ But it’s still a little surprising to watch the war of words that seems to be unfolding between Adam Levine and Randy Jackson.
Jennifer Lopez says she's not sure she'll be back for another season of "American Idol." She told BBC radio that she's "very on the fence about it."