The ‘Idol’ judges panel speculation continues: Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban, Enrique Iglesias?
FILE - In this Saturday, June 23, 2012 file photo, singer Nicki Minaj performs on stage at the Radio One Hackney Music Festival in Hackney marshes, east London. Nicki Minaj has canceled her appearance at this weekends V Festival in the United Kingdom because of damage to her vocal chords, Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File)
The endless speculation for the “Idol” 2013 judges panel continues.
The Hollywood Reporter has thrown out three more names: Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Enrique Iglesias are supposedly in the running.
Minaj would certainly be a coup. She’s at the top of her game and would help “Idol” draw a younger audience. But she is a spokeswoman for Pepsi, a problem for Atlanta-based Coca Cola, which has been a major sponsor of “Idol” since day one. She recently cancelled some concerts due to “strained vocal cords,” though it doesn’t appear to be serious. She tweeted she has postponed her fall tour, which could be a sign she’s coming to “Idol.”
We know “Idol” would like a country artist on the panel, too. Brad Paisley’s name was previously posed. Urban would be a serious A lister, too, if they could get him. And Iglesias would bring in a little sexy Latino edge. His vocal ability is on par with Jennifer Lopez but that is obviously not a criteria to be a judge on “Idol.” If this story is accurate, it’s obvious “Idol” is seeking four major current artists as judges, which would sound an awful lot like, um, “The Voice.” We here generally hate four judges because it gets repetitive and eats up time.
So far, only Mariah Carey is solid. “Idol” needs to make a call very soon because audition rounds are coming up soon. (They usually tape them in September and October.)
The tea leaves are showing Randy Jackson’s role on the show may no longer be a judge. But Jimmy Iovine, the story said, isn’t going anywhere either. Maybe they’ll have them team up as co-mentors.
If anything, “Idol” is clearly not cutting the budget for talent.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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159 comments Add your comment
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
9:23 am
LOL! He adds new words every day, Harriett and he says them in such a cute way!
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
9:25 am
To tell the truth, I think Idol almost HAS to go with a Country artist now.
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
9:28 am
They need somoene with a strong personality, Country might provide that.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
9:37 am
They cannot leave Randy on the panel. He will become even more irrelevant than he already is but I have heard that Randy may replace Jimmy and to that I say…noooooooooooooo!
Harriett
August 21st, 2012
9:43 am
I agree with JT and D on the country thing now.
And, it is so much fun when you hear them say the words for the first time, D!
Idol Chatter: Nicki Minaj & Enrique Iglesias to Be Judges? – People Magazine | Headline News Network
August 21st, 2012
10:01 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Jenny
August 21st, 2012
10:26 am
Deirdre @7:18 am… right with ya on item 2. (except I did say I might not watch.). But I probably will… I do want to see Mariah. Though I too predict I’m not going to like Darling Nikki.
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
10:42 am
One thing I don’t see discussed, as it has been with a few other names that are thrown out there, is that Nicki is first and foremost a rapper. I know it’s easy to get sidetracked on “trashy” and self absorbed, because only men like Simon Cowell are allowed by our society to be trashy and self absorbed (and yes I know of at least one person who recognizes his trashiness as well).
One thing I don’t see discussed, as it has been with a few other names that are thrown out there, is that Nicki is first and foremost a rapper. I know it’s easy to get sidetracked on “trashy” and self absorbed, because only men like Simon Cowell are allowed by our society to be trashy and self absorbed (and yes I know of at least one person who recognizes his trashiness as well).
Why is Idol going with a rapper? Aside from the obvious that this selection is only done to get youth and to one up X-Factor.
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
10:44 am
Pardon the duplicate paragraph… copy/paste madness.
Sam-A
August 21st, 2012
11:05 am
JT: I’m sure more than “one” person, especially females, have noted Simon’s “trashiness”, mainly in wearing tight, cut almost to the waist, thin white T-shirts, with his flabby chest glaring thru! And the way he used to shamelessly flirt with some of the young girl contestants. Of course, ST came along and made Simon seem like a fave uncle in his behavior towards the young girls.
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
11:11 am
Actually Sam I’m talking more about the way that he is a man-wh0re. At least Steven Tyler didn’t sleep with women who were involved with other men while he was dating someone else.
There is the appearance of trashy which is Steven Tyler, and then there is actually carrying trashy to its fruition which is Simon.
Harriett
August 21st, 2012
11:13 am
And, what about last season on XF where Simon sat on his white “casting room couch” and listened/watched? He wore no shoes and seemed ready to jump into the sack with the first female who pleased his eye/ear. That had a huge “yuck factor” for me.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
11:16 am
Yeah, Simon is the king of “trashy and self-absorbed”.
And to be honest, ST never really bothered me. Not sure why. His outrageous flirting felt more innocent to me most of the time, like he never believed the girls would take him up on it. And because he could be so kind, like the time he whispered in the brain-damaged girl’s ear that her fiance sang so beautifully because he was singing for her. ST won me over that night. Can’t say I liked his judging but I liked him personally.
As for Simon, I never liked the egotist but appreciated him most of the time as a judge.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
11:18 am
That being said, he’s a terrible judge on X-Factor
Sam-A
August 21st, 2012
11:57 am
I could take Simon’s snarkiness if he’d come back to Idol and be like he was the first 7 or so years – at least he was truthful most of the time – just got tired of his metaphors and comparisons. And the last 2 years of his acute boredom with the show and wanting us to know just how he felt – UGH!
But with the new crop of judges, I’d take him back in a flash! True, D – he was awful on XF, and Harriett, that couch and barefoot scenario was vomit-worthy!
DanJ
August 21st, 2012
12:21 pm
I can’t argue that Simone was a terrible judge of talent last year. He cut Caitlin Koch, Jazzlyn Little and Melanie for Simone and Tia. Seriously? Yes he brought Melanie back but Simone and Tia were horrible. I just hope he gets groups this year.
Does anyone know if contestants who didn’t make it to live shows IE Jazzlyn and Caitlin can try out again? Just curious!
pebblebeach
August 21st, 2012
12:34 pm
We want Snoopdog…
Rickster
August 21st, 2012
12:54 pm
Dam-A ” just got tired of his metaphors and comparisons”
Kinda like the viewing public and Randy?
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
1:13 pm
Oh dawg, why did you have to go there Rickster, you know Randy can judge the phone book aight? Back when Randy was working with Mariah he’d be dropping metaphors and he’d just be blowin it out of the box. 110% no 1000% no 1,000,000,000,000%! He may have had a few pitch problems there at the start, but he worked it out. Just keepin it real.
Rickster
August 21st, 2012
1:37 pm
JT.. that was just an unbelievable, smokin’, molten-lava hot reply. Possibly the best reply in the history of Idol!
Rickster
August 21st, 2012
1:42 pm
But… for me… for you… it was just a’right.
G
August 21st, 2012
2:48 pm
There were a couple of unsavory things mentioned this AM that didn’t set to well with me. I’m going to let it slide on the count that I have a busy day and the trolls are no longer posting.
Rickster
August 21st, 2012
3:06 pm
Found this interesting:
They may have dueted on Mariah Carey’s “Up Out of My Face,” but the idea of working with Nicki Minaj on “American Idol” apparently strikes a sour note with the 42-year-old diva.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/mariah-carey-minaj-a-trois-american-idol-report-article-1.1141144#ixzz24D1qBoST
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
3:21 pm
G…it’s always best to let trolls slide. Mostly they are not worth responding to and are only looking for a fight. After all, that’s why they are called trolls.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
3:23 pm
Kanye West is now claiming that he’s been talking to Idol.
And Enrique Iglesias is not off the table yet either.
Apparently Idol is planning on approximately 15 judges this year.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
3:24 pm
And here’s a laugh: Simon thinks it was his past history with Paula that hurt X-Factor.
Simon, I have a long list of things that hurt X-Factor and Paula isn’t on it!
Rickster
August 21st, 2012
3:27 pm
here’s a link to an article that corroborates her queeness’ earlier post (not that she needs corroborating):
http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/08/kanye-west-in-talks-to-be-american-idol-judge—report.html
Harriett
August 21st, 2012
3:45 pm
Rickster (welcome home, by the way), your first link stated that Idol is trying to match the A-list judges panels of XF and The Voice. Those programs have A-listers because they are all about the judges. Idol has never been and still doesn’t need to be, IMO. They way overshadow the talent–especially with their jockying for attention. I hate to see Idol go down that road.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
4:03 pm
here’s a link to an article that corroborates her queeness’ earlier post (not that she needs corroborating):
While that may or may not be true, I appreciate it!
Seth T
August 21st, 2012
4:06 pm
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/american-idol-producers-reached-sean-diddy-combs-fill-judge-seat-report-article-1.1133082
probably already seen or posted, but seen this on an offshoot of the earlier post link.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
4:14 pm
So, we have Sean Combs, Kanye West, Keith Urban, Enrique Iglesias, Alanis Morrisette, Nicki Minaj, Toby Keith, …….wait, there’s more.
Harriett
August 21st, 2012
4:14 pm
Well, I will take Sean Combs any day over Miss Niki.
Harriett
August 21st, 2012
4:15 pm
Also, D, you left out Adam Lambert, who, in my opinion, makes great sense.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
4:20 pm
Snoop Dogg, Pharrell Williams, Nick Jonas, Brad Paisley
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
4:22 pm
Mary J Blige, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson…
And our own choices: Katey Perry, Harry Connick Jr, Neil Patrick Harris and Victoria Beckham
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
4:40 pm
You know what we have: lots of talk about Idol, none about X-Factor and The Voice. They are having to pay for their publicity. Well played Idol, well played.
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
4:43 pm
Regarding the article about Mariah being irate over Nicki being a judge: I don’t have much respect for it when they can’t even get the place of Nicki’s birth correct. Trinidad and Tobago is not Jamaica. Not only that, but it provides ZERO information or sources for the “irate”. Keep moving folks, this is the kind of stuff that causes twitter bombs.
Harriett
August 21st, 2012
4:45 pm
Well, I will leave it with you for today. Who and what will tomorrow bring? Can’t wait!
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
4:48 pm
So JT gets right to the crux of the situation. I agree! Well played, Idol!
G
August 21st, 2012
4:55 pm
Based on some of the comments here today, the outlook for Idol can’t get any worse….unless they add rappers to the format of the show.
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
5:03 pm
G, I don’t think having a rapper as a judge will equate to rappers on the show. It’s not like people are one trick ponies, Nicki could judge art, horses, or flowers without those items being rapping art, rapping horses, or rapping flowers.
Can the outlook for Idol be any worse? Of course, they could have Simon Cowell, Britney Spears, and Demi Lovato as judges.
Seth T
August 21st, 2012
5:11 pm
Anyone who is a known name in the entertainment business should nominate themselves, as Snopp Dog did, and Charlie Sheen did as a result of Nigel’s spoof in dropping his name.
It brings more traffic to their web sites, national news and press speculation, for more free advertising of the artist’s trade-name.
The news generators like TMZ, THR, etc., need to make news in order to survive, so “unsubstantiated – insider with anonomous tips” are all welcome. There were previous reports that were made to look like it was a done-deal with Pharrell Williams – he just had to dot the last i in his name.
So best now, for everyone to get into a dance class in your area. Especially Zumbatomics — a high energy, fitness party dance method — which utilizes hip-hop, reggaeton and other modern music. This will boost your metabolism, focus, and get you ready for a party with LMFAO.
DanJ
August 21st, 2012
5:29 pm
Idol is getting a lot of press but it could be a good thing for The Voice and X-Factor. It could actually cause more people to tune into those shows. I’d much rather watch a show and discuss it rather than read rumors. And by the time both shows start their season most of us will have had our fill of idle Idol gossip.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
6:10 pm
Adam Lambert has revealed that he has been in talks with AI to become a judge.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
Like I said, if all this stuff is true then Idol is shooting for about 15 judges this season.
Vast Wastrel
August 21st, 2012
7:51 pm
I’m still holding out hope that the $26 million from Coke will prevail regarding Ms. Minaj. I’m also hoping this is just a publicity boost for both parties. Don’t know if there is a connection between her and Core Media/19 Entertainment but Fox will have a say and they won’t like ticking off a major sponsor. If she isn’t chosen then I see most people being relieved with a Combs or Kanye choice.
Deirdre
August 21st, 2012
8:34 pm
Maybe Coke sees an advantage in stealing her from Pepsi
JTesla
August 21st, 2012
8:44 pm
I doubt that Coke/Pepsi care. She will be in Pepsi commercials which will benefit from her being on Idol and of course she will be on Idol a show which as a whole benefits Coke.
Sue Shirland
August 21st, 2012
10:56 pm
NM would be a travesty for all the above reasons. Idol needs a real talent who cares about discovering new talent. Adam Lambert is the obvious choice! Talent, stage presence, fashion sense, gorgeous, and a genuinely nice guy!
Deirdre
August 22nd, 2012
8:32 am
Morning!
I sincerely doubt that she’ll be making anymore Pepsi commercials IF she is going to work for Idol.
I checked to see if anyone else threw their hat into the ring. So far, nobody new. Give it a few more minutes. It’s still early out on the west coast.