American Idol: will.i.am Turns Down Judging Gig, Dr. Luke Next in Line

Source tell us that the Black Eyed Peas frontman was close to signing, but it didn't work out

By Jenna Mullins Aug 20, 2013 10:13 PMTags
will.i.amTim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Another day, another American Idol rumor put to rest.

Sources tell us that although will.i.am was hotly pursued by Idol producers, that deal has fallen through and he has turned down the judging gig.

The Black Eyed Peas' frontman had previously appeared on the Fox reality series as a mentor and as a performer, and the network wanted him as a judge alongside Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, but that ship has definitely sailed. 

VIDEO: Ryan Secreast promises the new American Idol judges will be revealed "soon"

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that will.i.am turned down the Idol job to return as a coach on The Voice U.K. for season three. Discussions started flatlining between the "Scream and Shout" singer and Idol last week, and now Fox is turning their attention to Dr. Luke, according to US Weekly.

Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, is "close to signing" on as the third judge for Idol's 13th season, an insider reveals to E! News. The songwriter-producer is responsible for hits such as Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone", Kesha's "Tik Tok" and Katy Perry's "California Gurls." He seems to have a knack for making chart-topping misspellings, and he might be your new judge, Idol fans!

Fox has yet to comment on will.i.am turning down a judging spot and Dr. Luke's candidacy.

The only thing Fox has confirmed is Keith Urban's return, which was announced during this summer's TCA Press Tour by network boss Kevin Reilly.

"Keith did a great job last year, the fans really liked him. With a new panel, you are going to see that Keith is a really funny guy," he said.

Though J.Lo's boyfriend Casper Smart told us that she was returning to Idol, an official announcement has yet to be made.

"Returning to American Idol makes sense for Jennifer this season, as the show's schedule will allow her to focus on new film and TV projects," a source revealed to us. "And, of course, her twins are starting school this year and she will have time for her family."

What do you think of the possible lineup of judges for the new season?

—Reporting by Kristin Dos Santos and Marc Malkin