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Report: Harry Connick Jr. Joins American Idol as Third Judge
Harry Connick Jr. is returning to American Idol full-time. The former mentor is in the process joining Idol's upcoming 13th season as the third judge, according to the The Hollywood Reporter. Dr. Luke was originally slated to help replace departing judges Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and Nicki Minaj, but he dropped out of negotiations last week due to a conflict with his label at Sony Music. Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun was also rumored to be the next possible frontrunner, but he reportedly passed.
Harry Connick Jr. is returning to American Idol full-time. The former mentor is in the process joining Idol's upcoming 13th season as the third judge, according to the The Hollywood Reporter.
Dr. Luke was originally slated to help replace departing judges Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and Nicki Minaj, but he dropped out of negotiations last week due to a conflict with his label at Sony Music. Justin Bieber's manager Scooter Braun was also rumored to be the next possible frontrunner, but he reportedly passed.
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Connick will join returning judges Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, the latter of whom served as judge for Season 10 and Season 11.
On Thursday evening, Idol creator Simon Fuller hosted a party to celebrate the new judging panel with Connick Jr., Urban, Lopez and Jackson, who reportedly will continue with the show in Jimmy Iovine's role as full-time mentor, in attendance. The next morning, host Ryan Seacrest tweeted, "Got some @AmericanIdol news coming for you very soon..."
Are you excited about Connick joining Idol?