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American Idol: Ryan Seacrest Says The New Judges Will Be Revealed “Very Very Soon”!

The American Idol host assures fans that the speculation for the season 13 judges panel is almost over.

By Leanne Aguilera Aug 08, 2013 1:20 AMTags
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Who are the newest American Idol judges? We'll find out right after the break!

There's only one problem: we don't know how long that break is going to be! Not to worry Idol fans, according to host Ryan Seacrest, we can soon stop our speculating because Fox officials are thisclose to announcing the judges for the show's 13th season.

While scouting the potential Idol talent in Austin, TX, Seacrest exclusively tells E! that he can't wait for fans to finally learn who the new judges will be. Seacrest says, "We're going to announce the judges very very soon and I think people will be excited about the names we'll have on the panel."

Watch: Seacrest's Update on "Idol" Season 13 Judges

So far, we only know of one judge that will definitely be staying with the American Idol family when the series returns in January. Fox Network President Kevin Reilly revealed last week that country superstar and season 12 judge Keith Urban will be returning to the singing competition next year.

But who else will be snatching up the remaining 2-3 seats? A handful of pop stars have been thrown into the rumor mill of Idol possibilities over the past few months.

Former contestants like Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, and Adam Lambert have all been cited as possible alum judges to replace last season's catty twosome Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.

Reilly also announced at the Fox TCA press tour that the network has also been in talks with previous judge and singing sensation Jennifer Lopez. "Jennifer has been a close part of the show all along…there have been discussions there. There is no deal with her or anyone else," he said.

Adding to that ridiculously long list of maybes, sources are also claiming that the Black Eyed Peas front man will.i.am is also in the running to join the show along with ladies Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and Fergie. Is anyone else getting overwhelmed from all the possible combinations of judges? It's like we're back in statistics class, but with singing sensations instead of numbers!

Seacrest promises that all will be revealed in due time. "This year there's been a lot of speculation about it, but we're honing in on that announcement and that decision, so I'm excited about that personally," the host tells us.

American Idol returns for its 13th season in January 2014.