A source confirmed to US Weekly on Saturday that "American Idol" had found a third judge to round out its panel during the series' 13th season. Jazz crooner Harry Connick Jr. will be joining returning judges Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban.
Connick had served as a mentor and a guest performer before on "Idol." He gave some insight on his philosophy to judging on the show in May, far before the search for a replacement heated up.
"I think you need to be completely honest and I think you need to be diplomatic," he said. "I think there's no reason to be mean, but it's called being a judge."
The selection comes with a sigh of relief for both "Idol" fans and producers. There were rumors that the next season might have to be delayed due to struggles with finding a third panelist, after contract negotiations with pop music producer Dr. Luke fell through. Luke had connections with the show, with Kelly Clarkson's debut "Since U Been Gone" being his first hit album as well.
Last season saw a mass exodus of judges toward the end of the series. Rapper Nicki Minaj and pop star Mariah Carey both left after the one season to focus on their music careers, although there was well-documented hostility between the pair on set. More surprising was the retirement of Randy Jackson, the last of the original judges. Jackson will stay on during Season 13 to mentor. Jackson's leaving also means that next season will be the first in the show's history to feature an all-musician judging panel. In the past, Jackson and founder Simon Cowell have provided perspective from a producer's and executive's standpoint, respectively.
Season 12 was Urban's first as a judge, and Lopez is returning for her third season after taking a hiatus last year.
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