Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban to Join Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson as American Idol Judges
After months of shakeup and speculation, American Idol is set to kickoff Season 12.
But in case you've been under a rock, the new season, which airs in January, will have some new faces at the judging table.
Fox has officially announced the two judges that will join Idol-veteran Randy Jackson and singer Mariah Carey.
Country superstar Keith Urban, 44, and rapper Nicki Minaj, 29, will complete the judges panel this season.
Idol host Ryan Seacrest confirmed the news on his Twitter account early Sunday morning.
"It's official, your new #IdolJudges are @MariahCarey, @NickiMinaj, @KeithUrban & @Yo_RandyJackson!" Seacrest tweeted.
"Nicki's an unbelievably captivating international phenomenon who has made an indelible mark on rap and pop. And Keith is another great addition to Idol - he's one of the biggest stars in country music and I know that our fans and contestants will fall in love with him," Mike Darnell, president of Alternative Entertainment at Fox, said. "With an unparalleled star like Mariah, fan-favorite Randy, chart-toppers like Nicki and Keith and our incomparable host Ryan, we've put together one of the most exciting judging panels around."
Jackson returned to the judging table after talked failed with Latin singer-songwriter Enrique Iglesias.
Urban expressed his excitement to be joining the other three judges.
"SO excited to be joining the team on @AmericanIdol!!!!!! -KU #idoljudges," Urban tweetedSunday morning.
Urban became a free agent when he quit Australia's "The Voice" earlier this year.
Urban reportedly signed a deal with Idol producers for $4 million for one year.
Minaj will be reportedly paid $8 million for one year for her criticism. She said the first day on the job was "interesting."
The quartet kicked off the season filming the New York auditions on Saturday and Sunday.
Carey will be paid $18 million for one year for her contrubitions. Her deal was confirmed in August and she said she was "excited" to be joining Idol.
"It all kind of just happened real quickly," she said. "I will see you in January!"
Earlier this summer, Idol season 10 and 11 judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez left the show.
Kanye West, Katy Perry, Adam Lambert, Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus were all said to be in talks to join the judging panel.