Following weeks of rumors, it has been confirmed that Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey are leaving after one season of serving on the American Idol judge’s panel. Both women announced the news Thursday on Twitter.
"Thank you American Idol for a life-changing experience," Minaj wrote. "Wouldn't trade it for the world! Time to focus on the music! Muah!"
Carey’s PR firm wrote: “W/ global success of “#Beautiful” (#1 in 30+ countries so far) @MariahCarey confirms world tour & says goodbye 2 Idol.”
Fox and FremantleMedia also confirmed Carey’s departure in a joint statement. "Mariah Carey is a true global icon — one of the most accomplished artists on the planet — and we feel extremely fortunate that she was able to bring her wisdom and experience to the 'American Idol' contestants this season. We know she will remain an inspiration to 'Idol' hopefuls for many seasons to come," the statement said.
The news comes three weeks after veteran judge Randy Jackson said he was leaving after 12 seasons so he could focus on other work. That leaves only Keith Urban’s fate to be decided. The country singer joined Idol at the same time as Minaj and Carey. Earlier this week he told the Associated Press that he had “no official information” about the next season.
“I'm pretty much in the same boat as everybody else here with the rumors that have been floating around. I don't know anything more about what's happening next season. It was like this before I signed on . . . so it's not unusual for the Idol folks to be in this place of figuring out what they want to do, then they always pull it together,” he said.
One of the rumors surrounding the Idol shakeup is American Idol alums joining the judge’s panel. The front runners are rumored to be Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert.
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