SINKING SHIP?
Mariah Carey & Nicki Minaj Announce ‘Idol’ Departures On Twitter
By Kyra Senese
MARIAH CAREY and NICKI MINAJ CONFIRM ON TWITTER THAT THIS WILL BE THEIR FIRST AND LAST SEASON as judges on American Idol.
MiMi retweeted a tweet of her PMK BNC publicists announcing, “W/ global success of “#Beautiful” @MariahCarey confirms world tour & says goodbye 2 Idol.”
Nick, whom Mariah famously feuded with earlier in the season, tweeted:
Thank you American Idol for a life changing experience! Wouldn’t trade it for the world! Time to focus on the Music!!! Mmmuuuaahhh!!!
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) May 30, 2013
The competing divas follow fellow Idol judge Randy Jackson out the door, leaving Keith Urban as the only judge who hasn’t announced his departure.
Following two consecutive seasons with double-digit drops in veiwership, rumors are that all four judges will be replaced in an effort to salvage the once-former ratings juggernaut. The show still delivered Fox 14.3 million viewers for its 12th season finale, the lowest rating for an Idol finale ever.
Earlier this month, Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly told advertisers that all of the judges were welcome to come back for the show’s 13th season, but he couldn’t confirm the show’s three-judge format would return.
The 12th season was marked by notorious bickering between MiMi and Minaj, whom the Glitter claimed to have overheard saying, “If I had a gun I would shoot the bitch.”
In an appearance on KTLA in May, Carey’s hubby Nick Cannon spoke about the feud. Cannon told the “Morning News” anchors, “My wife [had] foreseen all this. She tried to tell the network, ‘I don’t think this is going to work. I’m afraid… I don’t need this.'”
E! reports that Jennifer Hudson has signed on to be a judge in season 13, while producers pursue alums
Adam Lambert and Clay Aiken to join the panel. Stay tuned.
Kyra Senese is a student of pop culture majoring in journalism at Columbia College In Chicago. Follower her @Kyra_Senese on Twitter.
