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"Since U Been Gone" Producer Dr. Luke Not Joining American Idol

It looks like American Idol may have to go back to the drawing board to find its three judges for Season 13. Despite previous reports, producer and songwriter Dr. Luke will not be joining the singing competition because of a deal he has with ...

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Kate Stanhope

It looks like American Idol may have to go back to the drawing board to find its three judges for Season 13.

Despite previous reports, producer and songwriter Dr. Luke will not be joining the singing competition because of a deal he has with Sony Music, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

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Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, signed a lucrative deal with the record company in 2011. His Kemosabe imprint is home to several artists including singer Becky G, songwriter-turned-performer Bonnie Mckee and rapper Juicy J. However, Universal Music Group holds the exclusive music rights to American Idol. The same conflict kept L.A. Reid from joining Idol several years ago. Reid instead joined The X Factor, which has a deal with Sony.

Dr. Luke, who is behind hits such as Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl," also realized Idol would be take up too much time. "He really loves his artists and wants to build up the label," a source told THR. "Luke wants to build an entertainment company."

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American Idol, which has yet to confirm the long-rumored return of Jennifer Lopez, is just several weeks away from auditions, which means the show will have to find a third judge and fast. Among those under consideration is Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun, whom Lopez suggested. His other clients include Psy, Ariana Grande and The Wanted. Country star Keith Urban is the only returning judge from last season's four-person panel.

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