“American Idol” has reportedly found two of its judges!
The upcoming reboot of the iconic singing competition will have a new home at ABC, after being at FOX for 15 seasons, and sources close to the negotiations revealed on Monday that execs are moving quickly to secure top-notch talent to sit at the judges’ table.
According to Us Weekly, “American Idol” alum Chris Daughtry, is set to join the upcoming reboot as a judge, after competing in the show’s fifth season, which was eventually won by Taylor Hicks. He finished in fourth place back in 2006, but went on to become the third best-selling “Idol” alum with his band, Daughtry, behind winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
“They wanted a panel of all ex contestants,” a source told Us, adding that Clarkson, Underwood and Jennifer Hudson were “all on their wish list.”
Pop star Katy Perry is also rumored to be in late stages of negotiations to join Daughtry on the judges’ panel, TMZ reported on Sunday.
“Idol” execs turned their eyes towards Perry after Clarkson decided to join Season 14 of NBC’s “The Voice” as a coach and, should everything go as planned, ABC will reportedly announce Perry as the upcoming revival’s anchor judge on Tuesday. Hudson will also be joining “The Voice” instead, as she will be a coach on Season 13 in the fall.
Another “Idol” stalwart that won’t be joining the reboot? Legendary judge, Simon Cowell, who said last week that he won’t be returning.
“I was asked to do it, and the answer is no,” he told Extra. “I have no interest. My memories are when we first started. It was a different time with Randy, Ryan and Paula. You can’t re-create that.”
Though Cowell has no interest in coming back, “Idol” could still snag former host Ryan Seacrest, who has been vocal about his interest in jumping back into the gig that made him a household name.
As for the final one (or two?) spots on the “American Idol” reboot’s judging panel, it’s unclear who ABC has its eye on — will it be another huge star, ex-contestant, relative unknown or industry exec like Randy Jackson?
Only time will tell.
By Gibson Johns
