All of the ‘American Idol’ Judges By the Years

One other Season of American Idol has come and gone. Season 22 topped winner Abi Carter Sunday evening, and decide Katy Perry bid the present farewell. Perry sat on the judges’ panel for seven seasons alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan.

Following 15 seasons on Fox, ABC revived the singing competitors sequence in 2018. The present started in June 2002, and it launched careers of musicians like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and extra. A unique trio of judges — Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul — helmed the present at the beginning alongside host Ryan Seacrest — who has shepherded the present by means of all of its modifications.

ABC has not but introduced who will change Perry as a decide and be part of the ranks of previous and current superstar judges. Under, discover a record of all of the judges in American Idol historical past.

Simon Cowell

Identified for his blunt critiques and brutal actually, Simon Cowell was one of many authentic three judges on American Idol alongside Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul. He remained till Season 9. He additionally served as a decide on Pop Idol and The X Issue UK. Cowell can be identified for placing collectively teams like One Path and Fifth Concord on The X Issue UK. He now serves as a decide on America’s Received Expertise.

Randy Jackson

Randy Jackson holds the report because the longest serving American Idol decide within the present’s historical past together with his tenure of 12 seasons. He turned identified for calling contestants and others “dawg” in addition to critiquing “pitchy” performances. Except for Idol, Jackson labored as an government at Columbia Information and MCA Information. He additionally toured as bassist with rock band Journey.

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Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul rounds out the unique trio of judges int he early seasons of American Idol. Earlier than she boarded the judges’ panel, she was a singer, dancer and choreographer identified for hit singles like “Straight Up” in addition to choreographing Janet Jackson’s music movies. After judging for Seasons 1-8 of the present, she went on to guage on The X Issue, Stay to Dance, So You Suppose You Can Dance, and The Masked Dancer.

Kara DioGuardi

Kara DioGuardi joined the present in 2009 as a fourth decide along with the unique trio. She served as a decide for Seasons 8 and 9.

Ellen DeGeneres

Comic Ellen DeGeneres changed Paula Abdul in Season 9. She solely judged for one season on American Idol, after which she returned to internet hosting her eponymous discuss present, which started in 2003. The Ellen DeGeneres Present wrapped in 2022.

Steven Tyler

Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler changed Simon Cowell on Season 10 of the present. He sat alongside Randy Jackson for 2 seasons earlier than departing to proceed work within the rock band identified for singles like “Dream On” and “Candy Emotion.”

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez joined the identical yr as Steven Tyler and stayed for his two seasons along with returning for Seasons 13 by means of 15. She took a short hiatus throughout Season 12. She can be identified for quite a few movie roles together with Selena (1997) and extra lately, Shotgun Wedding ceremony (2023).

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Mariah Carey

The All I Need for Christmas Is You singer changed Steven Tyler after his season 12 exit. She sat alongside Jackson in addition to newcomers Nicki Minaj and Keith City beginning in 2012. She had beforehand visitor mentored contestants throughout Season 7. She judged for one season.

Nicki Minaj

Rapper Nicki Minaj turned an American Idol decide alongside Mariah Carey in Season 12. That was her solely season judging. She is understood for hit songs like “Starships” and “Tremendous Bass” in addition to albums Pink Friday (2010) and Pink Friday (2012).

Harry Connick Jr.

Crooner Harry Connick Jr. joined the present for Season 13 alongside the returning Jennifer Lopez and Keith City. A New Orleans-born singer composed the soundtrack to When Harry Met Sally (1989), and he went on to host a tak present Harry on CBS for 2 years. He remained on American Idol till Season 15.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry made up the brand new trio of judges within the present’s ABC revival. She joined for Season 16 alongside nation singer Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. Perry guest-judged in Season 9, and he or she noticed the present by means of its twentieth season. She simply wrapped her last season judging. Earlier than turning into a judfe, she launched albums like Teenage Dream, Prism and extra.

Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie has been a decide on American Idol for six seasons since he joined in 2018. The Grammy Award winner is understood for his form feedback and knowledge that he affords the contestants.

Luke Bryan

Nation star Bryan has additionally been with American Idol since 2018. A few of his prime hit singles embrace “Nation Woman (Shake It for Me),” “Drink a Beer” and “Drunk on You.”

Carrie Underwood

On the finish of July 2024, it was introduced that Carrie Underwood, who gained the singing competitors herself in its fourth season, would take over for Katy Perry beginning Season 25.

“I really feel like I’ve been so blessed to clearly be so rooted in nation music, however I’ve been capable of be part of many different genres or music as effectively,” Underwood stated on SiriusXM’s Music Row Joyful Hour. “I imply, I’ve bought a music with Papa Roach proper now. It’s a whole lot of enjoyable.”

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