American Idol Announces New Judges

For the past ten seasons, millions of fans worldwide have grown to love or hate the singing competition, American Idol. Some of the top selling artists of the new millennium have been on the stage attempting to wow fans. Singers from Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood have graced us with beautiful ballads and gone on to wildly successful careers.

As famous as American Idol has become, the judges have been grown into pop culture infamy. Three names come to mind when asked, "who are the judges on American Idol"? Randy, Paula and the person people loved to hate, Simon.

These three individuals have heard and criticized hundreds of thousands of potential singers on their quest for stardom. Even the occasional William Hung and "Pants on the Ground" make past the judges for the amusement of the at home audience.

Randy, Paula, and Simon are all music industry elite. All have either sold millions of albums such as Paula, or produced some of the best recording artists of all time like Randy and Simon. But just like the cliché says, "all good things must come to an end".

The addition of Kara DioGuardi in 2009 could have been a sign of things to come. In the previous 7 years American Idol has had guest judges, but never a fourth. After the season ended, Paula Abdul decided to leave the show. Now the American Idol judge pool was back to three.

The season in 2010 brought on another judge. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres was the fourth judge and made an immediate impact as an American Idol judge. She brought a fun side to the show, but a genuine artistic creativity as well.

The turning point after the 2010 season was the completed exodus of the entire panel of judges, minus Randy. Simon was first to leave. He had decided to focus on his other venture, The X-Factor. Ellen decided to leave due to not wanting to dash the hopes of potential applicants. She later started her own recording company. The final American Idol judge to leave the program was Kara. Reports circulated she quit and other reports stated she was fired.

Now the American Idol judge position was in need of being filled. Randy was in need of peers prior to the beginning of the 10^th season. Rumors have circulated as to who would be one of the other two/three American Idol judges. In American Idol fashion, host Ryan Seacrest held the world in anticipation and finally announced the next set of American Idol judges to join the show.

Two recording artists and a record executive have joined the legendary American Idol judge pool. Jennifer Lopez was first announced after weeks of speculation. She is looking for talent the likes of Michael Jackson but explains she will not be the villain. The second American Idol judge will be legendary Aerosmith front-man Steven Tyler. He is bringing the rock to American Idol. The final addition, Jimmy Iovine will join as the marketer, promoter, and distributer of contestant's music. Iovine is the chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M records, the label behind acts such as Lady Gaga.

With auditions closely approaching, these American Idol judges are ready to bring this singing competition back to greatness.

Source: cnn.com