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Randy Jackson Officially Out As American Idol Judge

Meanwhile, Nicki Minaj’s deal is reportedly "99 percent" done.

The shakeups keep coming at the judges table of American Idol. According to reports, Randy Jackson, the last original judge presiding, has decided to leave the show.
Jackson will reportedly still be involved in Idol's 12th season, but only as a mentor.
Randy's departure leaves two vacancies, and the show is said to be looking for a fourth judge as well. It was previously announced that Mariah Carey would be coming on board as a judge, while the previous season's judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, won't be returning.
A likely replacement for Jackson is Nicki Minaj, who according to TMZ, is 99 percent done with a deal to join the series. The New York Post adds that the main holdup delaying the deal is the Young Money star's obligations to Pepsi, which sponsors her and her tours to the tune of millions of dollars. Idol, famously, is backed by Coca Cola.
The latest rumored candidates for additional judges are country stars Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. Diddy and Kanye West, meanwhile, will "NOT" be joining the show, according to reports.

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  (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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