THEN AND NOW: All of the 'American Idol' judges
Jessica Booth
- "American Idol" began back in 2002 and is one of the most successful singing competitions.
- After 19 seasons, the show's still going and has had judges including Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul.
- More recent judges include Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry.
Simon Cowell was one of the three original judges for the first nine seasons of Fox's show.
Cowell worked in the music industry and had his own record label, Fanfare Records — which later became Syco Entertainment.
After being on the panel of the successful British competition series "Pop Idol," he became one of the original judges of "American Idol" in 2002.
He quickly became known as the most critical judge who was popular for his harsh one-liners.
Despite his reputation, Cowell was a beloved star on the show and many felt he kept things entertaining.
Since leaving "American Idol" in 2010, Cowell has started other successful shows.
After his success at "Idol," Cowell went on to help create shows like Fox's "The X Factor," NBC's "America's Got Talent," and ITV's "Britain's Got Talent," where he appeared as a judge as well.
In 2019, he created the show "The Greatest Dancer" for the BBC, which was canceled after two seasons.
Aside from creating talent shows and judging them, Cowell signed a book deal in 2020 for a seven-part series about animals called "Wishfits," co-authored with his son Eric.
Dancer and pop star Paula Abdul took her career in a slightly different direction when she became a judge on "Idol."
Before starting "American Idol" in 2002, Abdul was a Lakers Girl and well-known choreographer with several albums and singles under her belt.
Abdul's music was especially popular in the late 1980s and she became one of the most popular artists of the 1990s.
After a few unsuccessful acting attempts, Abdul became a judge on "Idol" in 2002. Unlike Cowell, Abdul was known for being compassionate and the nicest judge on the show.
She stayed on as a judge for "American Idol" through season eight.
Today, Abdul is still performing music. She recently made a temporary return to "Idol."
A few years after leaving "Idol" in 2009, Abdul went on tour with Boyz II Men. In 2018, she went on her own solo tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her first studio album.
In 2020, Abdul announced that she would be a panelist for Fox's reality competition show, "The Masked Dancer."
In April 2021, she made a temporary return to "Idol" as a guest judge when Luke Bryan was out after testing positive for COVID-19.
Randy Jackson was a successful musician when he signed on as one of the original judges.
Jackson was the third original judge of the show and stayed on the longest. At the time, he was known as a session musician who produced and toured with a long list of well-known artists.
On "Idol," Jackson was known to be a level-headed judge who balanced out Abdul and Cowell.
He left after season 12 to pursue other business ventures, and then briefly became a mentor on the show before leaving again in 2014.
Jackson has since stepped out of the music industry for a bit.
Today, Jackson is focused on his health. After losing over 100 pounds in the early 2000s, Jackson continues to tell his weight-loss story in interviews.
He also hosts a radio countdown show called "Randy Jackson's Hit List," where he counts down his top 30 urban and mainstream hits.
Kara DioGuardi was known as a popular songwriter when she became an "Idol" judge.
DioGuardi was added as a fourth judge on the eighth season of "Idol."
A songwriter and record producer in the pop music space, DioGuardi worked with notable artists like Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and Christina Aguilera.
She only stayed on the show for two seasons and left after season nine.
After departing "Idol," DioGuardi continued songwriting and pursued other ventures.
DioGuardi went back to songwriting and appeared as a judge on Bravo's "Platinum Hit" series and made her 2011 Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in "Chicago."
In 2017, she helped launch the first Maine effort of the Enough Abuse Campaign, a national program working to prevent child sexual abuse.
Most recently, she helped launch the "Sing It Forward" virtual talent competition to help youth with mental illness.
Ellen DeGeneres replaced Abdul for season nine of the show.
At the peak of her career as a comedian and talk show host, DeGeneres replaced Abdul after she left in 2010.
Though DeGeneres signed a five-year contract, according to Reuters, she left after just one season.
DeGeneres recently announced she would be ending her once-popular talk show.
After leaving "Idol," Degeneres continued hosting NBC's "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
In 2020, Buzzfeed News spoke to multiple current and former employees who accused the show of having a toxic workplace. Degeneres apologized to staff members but later addressed the allegations, calling them "orchestrated" on "Today."
In May 2021, she announced the show would be ending.
Steven Tyler was a music icon when he started judging "American Idol."
Not long after DeGeneres departed "Idol," Tyler was confirmed as the replacement for Simon Cowell.
At the time, Tyler — the lead singer of Aerosmith — had recently come off a successful comeback and a tour, as well as a stint in rehab for his prescription-painkiller addiction.
After two seasons on the show, Tyler announced he was leaving in 2012 to focus more on his work with Aerosmith.
Today, Tyler is still making music with Aerosmith.
Tyler released a country album in 2016.
He continued touring, recording, and releasing music with Aerosmith.
In August 2018, Aerosmith announced their Las Vegas residency at the MGM Grand.
During season 10, pop icon Jennifer Lopez became a judge on "Idol."
Tyler wasn't the only new judge in season 10 — it was announced Lopez would be joining the crew in 2011.
At the time, Lopez had recently parted ways with Epic Records.
Her comeback single "On the Floor" was released right around the time of her debut on the show.
Lopez was a judge for two seasons, leaving after season 11, but returned to the show as a judge for seasons 13 to 15.
Lopez is still making music and acting.
Since leaving "Idol," Lopez has continued to have a successful film and music career.
Although she hasn't released a full album since 2014, Lopez still sings and performs. In 2018, she released a hit single with Cardi B and DJ Khaled. In 2019, she starred in and produced the film "Hustlers."
In January 2021, she launched her skin-care line — J.Lo Beauty. She currently has a few movies in post-production.
For season 12, Mariah Carey became yet another cultural icon to join the "Idol" judges.
When both Tyler and Lopez left "American Idol" after season 11, Carey stepped in as a judge in 2012. At the time, Carey had recently released an album.
Carey stayed on for just one season.
In 2015, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the singer told Australian radio show "Kyle and Jackie O" that her time on the show was "so boring and so fake."
"When I say it's fake, I mean, I have to make up things to say about everybody," she said. "Half the time, the performances are good, you'll just be like, 'It was good.' "
Since leaving, Carey has continued her success in the music industry.
Carey went on to release music, complete a Las Vegas residency, and do some television and film projects. She also filmed the docu-series "Mariah's World" for the E! Network.
In 2020, Carey released a memoir, "The Meaning of Mariah Carey," and performed in "Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special."
In June 2021, it was announced that Carey would be featured on a new single with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, called "Somewhat Loved."
Nicki Minaj also joined the cast in season 12.
Rapper Minaj joined season 12 of the show in 2012, two years after the release of her debut studio album "Pink Friday."
During her time on the show, Minaj and Carey had tensions behind the scenes and argued multiple times on the series.
The rapper left the show after just one season.
Minaj has continued to release music since leaving "Idol."
Today, Minaj is still making music and collaborating with other artists.
In 2018, she released her latest album, "Queen," and in May 2021, she released a reissue of her 2009 mixtape "Beam Me Up Scotty."
Keith Urban was a popular country music star when he became a judge on "American Idol" on season 12.
Country musician Urban joined the show in 2012 and judged alongside Jackson, Carey, and Minaj.
Urban stayed on "Idol" for four seasons and left after season 15. While he was on the show, he released some new music and continued to tour.
Urban has continued working on his music since leaving "Idol."
The country music star hasn't taken much of a break when it comes to his career.
He's still releasing new music in addition to performing and making public appearances. His most recent album, "The Speed of Now Part 1," was released in September 2020.
In December 2020, Urban was named one of Rolling Stone Australia's "50 Greatest Australian Artists of All Time." He was also a featured artist on Taylor Swift's song "That's When" from "Fearless (Taylor's Version)."
Harry Connick Jr. joined "Idol" for season 13 after appearing as a mentor on season nine.
During season 12 of the show, Connick mentored the top four contestants and performed for the audience.
In 2013, for season 13, he became part of the judging panel alongside Lopez, who was just returning, and Urban.
Connick was a very popular musician when he joined "Idol." He stayed on for three seasons and left after season 15.
Connick is still releasing music today.
In October 2019, he released a Cole Porter composition album he rearranged.
Around that same time, he returned to Broadway with the show "Harry Connick, Jr. — A Celebration of Cole Porter."
Katy Perry became a judge during season 16 after appearing as a guest judge years prior.
Perry became the latest pop sensation to join the judging table at "Idol" during season 16.
That season, Lopez, Urban, and Connick all left — opening all three spots up. Page Six reported that Perry, who had appeared as a guest judge for the show in 2010, signed a $25 million deal to become a judge in 2018.
At the time, Perry had recently released her album "Witness" and was fresh off a tour.
Today, Perry is still one of the three judges on the show.
Perry has been a judge on "Idol" from seasons 16 to 19.
She released her latest album, "Smile," in 2020.
She also recently announced a Las Vegas residency that will begin in December 2021.
Luke Bryan also became a judge during season 16.
Best-selling country-music star Bryan joined the judges for "Idol" during season 16.
He released his sixth studio album around the time he announced that he would be joining the show.
Bryan is still a judge on "Idol" and is still releasing music.
Like Perry, Bryan is still a judge on the show, though he missed the first live show of 2021 to quarantine at home.
He's also still working on his country music career. In 2020, he released his album "Born Here Live Here Die Here," and he is set to go on a rescheduled tour in 2021.
Accomplished musician Lionel Richie was another judge who joined "Idol" in 2018.
Richie became a judge alongside Perry and Bryan during season 16.
Richie was known for his incredibly successful career and hit ballads from the '80s. When he joined the show, he hadn't released an album since 2012.
Richie is still judging "Idol" and doing concerts.
Richie most recently returned for season 19 of the show.
Outside of "Idol," he did a North American tour in 2019 and released an album from his Las Vegas residency.
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