On Thursday we enthusiastically reported that Kelly Clarkson was almost certainly going to be on the judging panel of next season’s American Idol along with two other former Idol contestants, making it an all alum panel.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Kelly Clarkson’s reps say the part about her judging American Idol 2014 is not true. Among the other names mentioned during all the rumors were Jennifer Hudson, Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken. There are still reports that Jennifer Hudson is in talks and Adam Lambert would love to judge but hasn’t been approached. No word on whether or not Clay is a serious contender.
And contrary to the reports that say it will be an all-alum panel, The Hollywood Reporter is also saying sources are saying that Jennifer Lopez is being courted for a return along with wil.i.am. Ugh. I hope that news isn’t true. If Idol wants to freshen itself, then they will go with an all-alum panel. I do not want to spend a season watching wil.i.am and typing his stupid name in my recaps.
And I’m officially shutting down the rumor mill. I will not be reporting on judging speculation any more. Only official Fox announcements. Because if we were to cover every rumor, there’d be a new one every day, all summer and none would end up true.