Nicki Minaj Responds to ‘Idol’ Exit Rumors, Randy Jackson Quits
Earlier today (May 9), we learned that ‘American Idol’ producers reportedly plan to replace judges Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban with a new set of panelists next season due to low ratings. Never one to bite her tongue, Minaj responded to the rumors and Jackson confirmed that he has, in fact, decided to call it quits.
When ‘Idol’ host Ryan Seacrest asked Minaj about returning to the show for Season 13 in a recent interview, her reply was as follows:
"That's a million-dollar question," she laughed. "I have to say this all the time, but I want people to know it's genuinely from my heart. I love the people on ‘Idol.’ I genuinely do. If I had to do this all over again, I would have done ‘Idol.’ Because it's fun, it's laughs. It's kind of sad that what people read all the time is only when something is negative. But they don't realize that we built a family. I feel happy here and I have to thank them for giving me this chance. They could have picked anyone in the world. And they picked me. So that's all I'll say about that."
Jackson gave a much more clear cut response during an E! News exclusive. “Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season," he said. "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."
Although Jackson has been judging since the very first season of the show and has lived to tell the tale, it’s been a rocky ride, and allegedly it’s only getting worse. "There's always been chaos with ‘American Idol,’ but this year it's been more than ever," a source said.