by Gina Scarpa

 

It’s hard to believe but next week, it will be time for a brand new season of American Idol. With Paula out and Ellen in (and a slew of celebrity guest judges along the way), season 9 is shaping up to be fresh and entertaining. The show returns with a two night premiere, beginning Tuesday, January 12. Today, judge Randy Jackson spoke to reporters about the new season and who he’d like to see win, as well as weighed in on Adam Lambert and the rumors about Simon.

 

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you take people like Adam Lambert, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, or Kelly Clarkson, how early in the competition do you know that they’re going to be a star?

A. Randy: I’d like to say honestly Day 1 for Adam the day he auditioned. Kelly… Day 1 the day she auditioned. Chris, Carrie… Day 1. I truly believe stars are born and cultivated and you can help them manifest into bigger and brighter stars but those things are kind of born. You hear something special.

 

Q. After so many years of doing Idol, do you get impatient when people come into the audition room and can’t sing?

A. Randy: Yes, I am growing a little impatient with that. You’ve watched the show, you know what the show is, and you see every year: somebody great wins the show. The top 3 or 4 or 10 are all great singers. You just wonder what are they seeing that I’m not seeing. Yeah, I’m getting a little impatient.

 

Q. Can you talk about Paula’s exit and how it’s affected you and the show?

A. Randy: The Paula thing is really near and dear to my heart. She’s one of my best friends and we speak all the time. The whole thing started with me, Ryan, Simon, and her. I miss that. We look down the table now and I say, “Where’s Paula?” It’s gonna take a little getting used to. We’re really sad about that but welcoming Ellen is good. She’s funny, she’s charismatic, and she’s cool.

 

Q. How are things going with Ellen as the new judge?

A. Randy: Next week, which is Hollywood, will be our first time sitting with her because we had guest judges on the road like Mary J. Blige, Victoria Beckham, Shania Twain, and Joe Jonas. She’s great. We’ve had a relationship for quite some time and so has Ryan. We have a great relationship. I think we’ll have a very funny, interesting season ahead of us.

 

Q. There’s some concern about Ellen as the new judge, in terms of what she brings to the table. You, Kara, and Simon have experience in the music industry. What does she bring to the table?

A. Randy: I really think her being just a die hard music fan and loving music and just being a really smart talented person… she’s a performer and entertainer herself and she knows about that because that’s how she made her career. I think she’ll give the expertise from being a fellow entertainer that’s hugely successful and I think she’ll give that view from the person at home. She’ll give that voice on the judges’ panel.

 

Q. What do you make of the rumors that Simon is leaving after this season?

A. Randy: I really don’t know until I really hear it from him. I’m not gonna believe any rumors. There’s so many rumors and speculations going on and I’m just excited about this season.

 

Q. Do you think Simon is meaner than he has been in the past this season?

A. Randy: He’s not really mean. You can coin his phrase, “I don’t mean to be rude but…” I mean, he’s honest from his perspective. Sometimes, it’s a bit harsh but some people call that real. I don’t know if he’s meaner than he’s ever been and I’m not sure I would call it mean. I would just call it very stern.

 

Q. You were quoted recently, saying that you hope a female wins this season. Are there are a lot of strong female singers so far?

A. Randy: The last couple seasons, boys have won. The last season, I was scratchin’ my head saying, “Where are the ladies?” There are some really talented girls that showed up this time and what changes from year to year are the contestants that we get. You would think that we’d get a lot more theatrical Adam Lambert or Kris Allen types but that’s not what happened at all. It didn’t happen like that. I think we have a very interesting, unique cast.

 

Q. Is there a specific trend this season that you’re looking forward to?

A. Randy: Since season 5, I’ve been really interested to see the kids sing current music. Winning this show, or coming in wherever you do in the Top 10, the only thing you know is that you have a shot to go up against your contemporaries. I love hearing them do contemporary songs, put a new twist on it, and see how that stacks up against the original.

 

Q. What city stood out to you this season, in the audition rounds, for good or bad reasons?

A. Randy: For me, I thought Orlando was really strange just in terms of the talent and who came out. It was a little strange of a place. I think Dallas was good. Surprisingly, I think Atlanta was good. Atlanta was one of the standouts for me.

 

Q. Do you have an opinion on Adam Lambert, his AMA performance, and the fact that he’s eclipsed Kris Allen?

A. Randy: Adam is a giant personality. He’s unbelievably talented. The AMA thing was something he wanted to do and try. An artist is left up to their own ideas of what they want to do. He’s a far bigger personality than Kris but I think they’re both equally talented. Kris won for a reason. Allison has her record out, too. I wish them all well and the best. I think those three and Danny… we’ll be seeing a lot from them.

 

Q. Many of the Idol contestants experience a lot of success in a very short amount of time and many of them are from small towns. Do you think that these people would have made it on their own or is Idol to credit?

A. Randy: I think American Idol is that lightning that captures that moment for those who can’t. This show is definitely a rocketship to the top. If you want the quickest road to stardom… even though it’s difficult because you’re in front 25-30 million people and they’re judging you and we’re judging you.. it’s the rocketship. It is the only one? No. Jason Mraz or Lady Gaga didn’t need it but Idol is for those that need this boost, and didn’t have it all quite together. These people never would’ve been discovered in a small town when nobody’s paying attention to you. They needed the show.

 

 

American Idol premieres next Tuesday, January 12, at 8pm ET on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

 

Follow Gina at twitter.com/ginascarpa

 

For more American Idol links, visit SirLinksALot.net