Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban join American Idol as New Judges

It's official, American Idol judges Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey will be joined by rapper Nicki Minaj and country music artist Keith Urban.

When American Idol's 12th season debuts in January 2013, superstar judge Mariah Carey – the best-selling female recording artist of all time – and returning judge Randy Jackson, will be joined by two new judges: quadruple-platinum singer, songwriter, rapper and fashion icon Nicki Minaj; and Keith Urban, one of country music's biggest stars of the decade.

Contestants will meet host Ryan Seacrest and the new four-person panel of Carey, Jackson, Minaj and Urban today, when the auditions begin in New York City. Other audition cities include Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, San Antonio, Baton Rouge and Oklahoma City.

Executive producer Simon Fuller noted, "With the exciting addition of Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj, alongside Randy Jackson, AMERICAN IDOL's star power has never been so great. For this we have to thank the ongoing commitment and belief of FOX and the dedication and focus of the IDOL production team. We have all been together since the very beginning and we are focused on making IDOL Season 12 the best ever."

"IDOL has truly never looked better," said Marc Graboff, President of CORE Media Group (owner, 19 Entertainment). "We couldn't be more pleased about this new team of judges, and, along with our partners at FOX and Fremantle, look forward to a terrific Season 12." Source: AmericanIdol.com
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