American Idol alumna Jennifer Hudson has reportedly signed a contract to be a judge in the upcoming 13th season of American Idol.
According to E! News, the 31-year-old Hudson has already finalized a deal to sit as one the judges in American Idol Season 13 which is set to start auditions in July. Jennifer Hudson is one of the most successful Idol alumni. Although only finished seventh in the show's 3rd season way back in 2004, Jennifer went on to win awards at the Grammy and Oscars both as a singer and as an actress.
Reports also said that American Idol plans to have an all-alumni three-person judging panel in season 13, a revamp which aims to highlight its capability to produce top-selling recording artists. The producers are considering seating its first ever winner Kelly Clarkson and another alum which may either be Season 8 runner up Adam Lambert or Season 2 runner up Clay Aiken.
Veteran judge Randy Jackson (who has been a judge since the very first season) already announced during the season 12 finale that he will be leaving the show. His season 12 co-judges, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj are also reportedly not coming back for season 13.
According to E! News, The "superstar-alum" theme is aimed at reclaiming some of Idol's lost viewership. American Idol has suffered a serious competition from The Voice in the past two years and recent data showed that the Fox reality singing competition has hit its lowest viewership in the last season which crowned Candice Glover as winner in a historic all-girl Top 5.
Do you think American Idol will bring back some of its lost glory with an all alumni judging panel?
