Nicki Minaj reportedly the next to leave ‘American Idol’
By Patrick Kevin Day
May 15, 2013, 3:19 p.m.
Could Nicki Minaj be the next to leave the struggling “American Idol?” It appears so according to a report in Us Weekly.
Citing unnamed sources, the magazine says Minaj won’t be back on “Idol” when it returns for its 13th season. Instead, the singer will be focusing on her next album, touring and endorsements.
This report comes just days after longtime “Idol” judge Randy Jackson announced that the show’s 12th season would be his last.
Speaking to reporters Monday in advance of the Fox network’s presentation to advertisers, Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly said that all of “Idol’s” judges were welcome back, but that “everything at this point is on the table.”
With Jackson and now possibly Minaj out the door, that leaves just Mariah Carey and Keith Urban as the remaining judges on the once-mighty singing competition show that has sunk by double digits in ratings over the last season.
Minaj and Carey provided a bit of off-screen drama with their reported feud, but it apparently wasn’t enough to re-ignite interest in the show that was once at the top of the Nielsens.
One thing is for sure: The next season of “Idol” will have just three judges, a return to the show’s original format, when Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Jackson ruled the airwaves from behind their conspicuously arranged Coca Cola cups.
