Joey O’Hern

Staff Writer

After a tumultuous season filled with feuding judges and declining ratings, American Idol is focused on gaining back its top spot on TV as well as some respect. Before this year’s season finale, original Idol judge Randy Jackson announced his departure and rumours were swirling shortly after that Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey, and Keith Urban were all being axed.

After much speculation that Idol producers wanted alumni to join the judging panel, E! is exclusively confirming that Jennifer Hudson, who is arguably one of the most successful Idol alums of all time (she’s won an Oscar, a Grammy and had numerous hit songs), had been approached to join the panel and after negotiations, has accepted a deal.

An insider from the show stated, “The show’s producers feel they’ve lost their core audience… They want to bring back former contestants in order to tell their core audience, ‘We love you.’ They know they’ve made some major mistakes over the past few seasons and they want to make it right with their fans.” 

Other speculated alumni to return? Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken, whom have all reportedly been approached to come back.

So what do you think? Is an alumni panel a good idea? Will Jennifer Hudson be a good judge?

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