Mariah Carey nor Nicki Minaj stopped for post-show backstage interviews following reports that producers had attempted to reshuffle the judging line-up midway through the current season. According to the Hollywood Reporter, bosses had attempted to force Carey out of the show and replace her with Jennifer Lopez, though the diva caught wind of the plan and got her legal team involved. Meanwhile, producers are apparently also on the hunt for a replacement for Nicki Minaj after she failed to connect with audiences.

Sources have since confirmed the replacement reports to E! online, with it now known that producers attempted to have Lopez return to the judging desk to save ratings. After Wednesday's show, contestant Kree Harrison voiced her support for Mariah though didn't exactly dismiss the idea of Lopez returning. "I would love to meet J.Lo.but I don't wanna see [Mariah] go nowhere because I love her, you know." According to E! online, Harrison was "rushed off to another interview by a publicist" after the subject came up.

The other girls in the competition were also quick to stand by the current judging panel, with Angie Miller admitting that it was "so weird hearing [the reports]. I say forget it!" In response to Ryan Seacrest's announcement that a "big surprise" would take place this week, Amber Holcomb hinted at the possibility of Lopez returning, saying, ""I think somebody's coming back!" she said excitedly. 

The replacement rumors began after American Idol was beaten in the ratings by a repeat episode of The Big Bang Theory.

Jennifer LopezJennifer Lopez Could Be Returning To American Idol