Remember when singing competitions kept their judges a little longer than one or two-year stints? Perhaps American Idol set an unattainable precedent during its first seven years on the air, with zero changes to the judging panel during that time until Kara DioGuardi joined the group during season eight. Maybe the mass of new competitions with relevant, still-in-the-biz judges made each panel more malleable by necessity. Whatever the reason, judging panels on Idol, The Voice and The X-Factor have been marked in recent years by ever-changing bodies in the judges’ seats.
Related: Judging The Judges: Star Power Alone Can’t Revive ‘American Idol’ Ratings
In the latest installment of the case of the rotating judge lineup, Nicki Minaj announced Wednesday she would be leaving American Idol after just one season as part of its lineup. Minaj follows longtime judge Randy Jackson, who will be leaving the show after being with it since its inception in 2002.
According to Us Weekly, the plan was always for Minaj to last just one season. An insider tells the publication that the rapper/singer will return to her musical career, including recording a new album to follow up Pink Friday: Roman Holiday.
But Idol isn’t the only show seeing a change in staff next year. Us Weekly also reports that Shakira will be stepping down as judge on The Voice, to be replaced by a familiar face — former Voice judge Christina Aguilera.
Read more at Radio.com
Nicki Minaj on AMP:
- Nicki Minaj Talks To ‘Teen Vogue’ About The Haters: ‘I Can’t Be Bothered’
- Nicki Minaj Harassing Mariah Carey Off ‘Idol’
