Randy Jackson announced in a press release today that he will not be returning for Season 13 of American Idol. The musician and judge had been on the judging panel since the show’s inception in 2002.
“Yo! Yo! Yo!” Jackson said in a statement released by his publicist. “To put all of the speculation to rest, after twelve years of judging on American Idol I have decided to leave after this season. I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It’s been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures.”
As previously reported, the bosses at Idol are rumored to be making some major changes to the show, including replacing all four judges on the judging panel.
The season finale of American Idol airs Thursday, May 16 at 7PM on Fox.
