Posted on 05/10/2013 by Gina in American Idol and Reality TV News
by Gina Scarpa
After last night's shocking elimination of Angie Miller, just before the season finale of American Idol, another departure was announced as well. After 12 years of auditioning and judging countless hopefuls, Randy Jackson has finally decided it's time to move on. Releasing a statement through his representative this week, he said (in true Randy form), "Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest... I have decided to leave after this season." Jackson is the last original judge on the hit reality show. Paula Abdul left after season 8, and Simon Cowell departed after season 9.
There was talk of Randy Jackson stepping down from the judges' table for this current season, but a deal was struck close to filming getting underway that kept him in his comfort zone. The new panel, comprised of Jackson, Nikki Minaj, Mariah Carey, and Keith Urban, has received mixed reviews from both fans and press. In fact, some sources are saying that none of the judges will return for season 13. According to BET, all four have options to return and FOX has yet to comment on the future of the show.
Exactly what lies ahead for Randy remains to be seen. As for Angie, the American Idol tour kicks off next month and will take her around the country through the summer. After that, she'll most likely head straight into the studio to start getting original music to her fans. Like her thousands of fans, the judges have confidence that she has a bright future ahead of her. Following last night's live show, she told US Weekly, "They all pretty much said, 'Girl, this is not over! You're still going to do incredible things.' Coming from them, that means everything."
American Idol airs Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX.
(Image courtesy of FOX)
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