American Idolhas had a massive impact on viewers of live television and competition shows. For more than 20 seasons, it has provided viewers a combination of hope, sorrow, incredible talent, and lots of drama. Even though it began as a competition to find the next singing star,American Idoleventually transformed into a platform to fulfill dreams.
At the heart of it all were the judges. They played a central role in both nurturing talent and crushing dreams. As the seasons progressed, so did the judging panel. While some opted to leave the spotlight on their own, others were shown the door by the network. But in the process,American Idolgave the musical world icons likeKelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Hudson.
But coming back to the judges, from the very first judge Simon Cowell and his blunt remarks to the revival judge Katy Perry’s vibrant persona, it is the panel that shaped Idol into what it became. Over the years, even new judges like Ellen DeGeneres and Steven Tyler as well as mainstays like Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez have left the show. Here’s a list that brings them all together and reveals the reasons behind their exits.
12Simon Cowell
From the very first season,Simon CowellshapedAmerican Idolinto what it became. Known for his sharp tongue and brutal honesty, Simon was a permanent fixture on the panel for nine seasons, during which he judged unapologetically and made friends for life. He had an intimidating persona, but his keen understanding of the music business helped launch the careers of winners like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
But after Season 9, Simon moved on with the show and sought a new challenge in creatingThe X Factor. WithThe X Factor, Simon replicated his previous project’s success on a global scale and found talent outside of vocal and age confines, which he later revealed as a reason for leavingAmerican Idol.He told Hollywood Life,
“How can you say, ‘You can’t be a star [because of your age]’? And I found the word Idol obnoxious to be honest with you. And why isn’t a 35-year-old as great as an 18-year-old? I just got to the point where this is not real, which is why I move on.”
11Randy Jackson
For 12 seasons as a judge onAmerican Idol,Randy Jacksonwas a mainstay who offered valuable feedback to hopeful contestants. Coming from a background as a successful musician versed in an array of instruments and genres like jazz, pop, and rock, Randy brought a lot to the panel beyond just critiquing performances. He made memorable comments like “In it, to win it!” and “Pitchy!” to performances he loved.
In 2013, Randy announced that he was leavingAmerican Idolto focus on other projects, including his work as a music producer. In an interview, he mentioned how he felt like it was the perfect time to say goodbye to the show. He’d been a part of a series that discovered genuinely amazing talents, and he was proud. Randy returned to the show as a mentor shortly after.
10Paula Abdul
Paula Abdulwas the judge ofAmerican Idolfrom Season 1 to Season 8. Despite wanting to quit on the very first day of shoot, she was glad she stuck around. Abdul brought heart and joy to her role, showed support for every contestant and eased the nerves of singers in a sincere and honest way. Abdul even famously cried each week while delivering her feedback, which showed just how much she cared about each performer’s journey.
However, following Season 8, negotiations over the show’s theme and the changes that were happening forced Paula to depart fromAmerican Idol. ToEntertainment Weekly she said, “I needed to go back and do things I wanted to do, and being in that contract with the show didn’t allow me to do many things.” Paula also expressed her gratitude towards the show, calling it a “tremendous experience.”
Related:The Best American Idol Finales of All Time, Ranked
9Kara DioGuardi
Kara DioGuardi, who was a judge onAmerican Idolfor two seasons – Season 8 and Season 9 – brought a refreshing perspective on the panel. She had worked with superstars before, and her experience helped pinning down a talent. Kara also helped popularize the industry through candid features and behind-the-scenes insights.
However, after 2010, Kara decided not to return. Initially, she had mentioned how joiningAmerican Idolmade her feel like she “won the lottery,” but in her 2011 book, she revealed that the high-pressure environment made her “uncomfortable, insecure and nervous.”In an interview with The New York Post, Kara said,
“The show was in transition, and, for me, it complicated a lot of things in my own life. I don’t think people realized how many jobs I had and the things I was doing [outside the show], and when it looked like the show was in transition, I decided it was time for me to go. It was my decision. The transition made it hard for me to not make the decision to leave.”
8Ellen DeGeneres
Also departing after Season 9 wasEllen DeGeneres. For one installment, she lent her bubbly humor and unique comedic perspective to competition. Ellen livened up the scenes and used her wit to deliver sensible feedback while also indulging in pranks with the other judges and contestants.
But it was apparent thatAmerican Idoldidn’t matchEllen’s offbeat stylebecause the show was used to a more serious tone. She let Fox know “that [the show] didn’t feel like the right fit for [her].” Ellen exited gracefully, adding
“I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings.”
7Jennifer Lopez
Over two seasons,Jennifer Lopezbrought her star power and endless charm toAmerican Idol. With her experience as a global crossover artist, she was able to provide unique insight to contestants. Using all sorts of encouragement and constructive criticism, Lopez helped every performer embrace their individual talents and usher them into the great, big world.
After Season 11, however, Jennifer announced that she was going to quit the showin order to focus on other film, music and business ventures exploding at the time. She also added that it was getting increasingly difficult for her to commit to the show every day.To ABC News, Jennifer admitted that Steven Tyler leaving Idol had a huge impact on her decision. “We had magic. I don’t know, with him gone, it might be a different formula,” she said.
6Steven Tyler
Steven Tyleralso appeared on Season 10 and Season 11 to judgeAmerican Idolalongside Jennifer Lopez. His high-energy personality and unconventional perspective rocked the Idol panel. Tyler also had a rock star experience, which influenced his judgment greatly and allowed contestants a freedom to express themselves.
Audiences loved Tyler, and he admitted to getting paid an enormous amount of money to stay on the show.
But after Season 11, she decided his time on the show had simply run its course. Like a true freewheeling artist, he left on a high with no complaints or controversies, except for revealing more about the changes in production and parallels with his band. “You could equate it maybe to a band, but a band has to get into a fight and argue to break up. Television, it’s just the next moment.”
5Angie Martinez
BringingAngie Martinezto join the panel of judges was Fox’ second attempt at adding a fourth judge toAmerican Idol. And let’s just say it didn’t work out for either of the parties involved. The radio legend lent her straight-talk critiques to the contestants and brought an ever-expanding perspective to the show. But she cared about talent too much and wanted them all to succeed.
After Season 2, Angie announced that she was leaving the live shows, stating how it was not in her heart to tell people no. A sensitive artist who had long supported underdogs, Angie felt like the grueling process of audition ended up breaking several young and ambitious artists’ spirits, and she simply couldn’t bear the weight of it all.
4Mariah Carey
For Season 12,Mariah Careytried to bring her no-nonsense energy and sparkling vocals toAmerican Idolby serving as a judge. With her history-making influence on popular music and iconic status in the industry, she was sought after because the production thought she could relate to contestants’ ambitions and hard work. And while she values talent, a feud with fellow judge Nicki Minaj led her to leave the show.
TheEmotionssinger was not only enraged by the show’s format and found it “boring and so fake,” but she also figured it was time to focus on her album and tour because that’s where her passions truly lied. When asked if she would ever return toAmerican Idol, Carey said,
“Absolutely not. That was the worst experience of my life. I’m not going to get into what it was, but let’s just say I don’t think they had any intentions for us to have a good experience doing that show.”
3Nicki Minaj
The nextAmerican Idoljudge who left, unsurprisingly, isNicki Minaj. In Season 12, she joined the panel alongside Mariah Carey with hopes ofbringing creative musicalityas the show’s first female rapper judge. She was gifted with providing feedback, pumping up the overall vibe of the show, and mentoring artists in their respective genres.
However, Nicki ultimately stepped down because she wanted to focus on her career. It goes without saying that there were reports about daggers being drawn between the two female artists. Nicki even admitted to Ellen about hearing rumors that Mariah didn’t want her on the panel. But it wasn’t until they started working together that Minaj’s “life changing experience” transformed into one filled with throwing “shade” and “overcompensation.”
