Following the recent departure of superstar Jennifer Lopez as a judge on 'American Idol', not to mention Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, there is much speculation about who might replace them on the panel and whether or not Randy Jackson will be the only remaining judge.
'Idol' executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told Ryan Seacrest on his radio show that he was 'really upset' but is starting to come round to a new way of thinking when hiring global stars for the show, for example, reducing contract lengths to a year. 'If we do want these big stars ... you cannot take them away from what they do', he says. 'That's depriving the public of a star for a start and stopping them from earning a lot of money.'
Several names have been floating around as possible judging candidates such as Miley Cyrus, Fergie, Will.I.AM, Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj. Adam Lambert, former 'Idol' runner-up was also a name that cropped up; however, he has since addressed the rumor expressing, 'If 'Idol' wants to talk to me about judging, I'd be more than flattered to have that conversation.' Mariah Carey was another, though her hubby Nick Cannon has quashed that though, suggesting that the show can't afford his wife. Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin became the latest name telling the Las Vegas Sun 'I'd love to be a mentor.' It's starting to look as though another talent show needs to be set up to decide who will get to be behind the judging panel.