"American Idol" has finally found its third judge for season 13: singer Harry Connick Jr.
Connick, who has appeared on the Fox reality show many times as a performer and mentor, will be on the judge's panel for the first time, the Hollywood Reporter confirms. Connick will judge the contestants alongside Australian country singer Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, who have both judged the show in the past.
This is revealed a week after it was reported that Dr. Luke, a hit song writer and producer, had to decline a spot at the judges panel due to a conflict with his label at Song Music. Sony's rival, Universal Music Group, holds the rights to "American Idol" recordings.
"Idol" creators knew they wanted to bring on another male judge in order to avoid potential conflict between two female judges. Last season, the discord between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj turned off the show's older female demographic.
Although the show wanted to bring on an industry professional to fill the third spot, they did not have enough time to seek out a suitable industry professional who had enough time to spare to be on the show. If "Idol" had not signed on the third judge now, the production of the show would have been delayed.
Scooter Braun, Justin Bieber's manager, had been reported to be a candidate for the spot after Dr. Luke declined. However, Braun also declined to join the show.
This past Thursday, "American Idol" producer Simon Fuller hosted an intimate party in the champagne room of Los Angeles restaurant Bouchon with Randy Jackson, who will be a mentor this season instead of a judge, Lopez, Urban and Connick to toast the announcment.
On Friday, longtime host Ryan Seacrest piqued fans' curiosity with a tweet hinting that "American Idol" fans were in for a big announcement. "Got some @AmericanIdol news for you coming very soon..." Seacrest tweeted.
"American Idol" season 13 will debut on Fox in 2014.
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