Jennifer Hudson is the first new judge for Season 13 of ‘American Idol’

Jennifer Hudson

Several news agencies have already confirmed that Jennifer Hudson has inked her deal to be the first new judge for Season 13 of ‘American Idol.’ This is great news–it will be a refreshing change to finally have someone who was in the show itself and who now has carved a name for herself and become a multi-awarded artist, even winning an Oscar!

Other news coming in is that ‘American Idol’ will only have three judges this time (again) and no longer four. But take this specific bit of news with a grain of salt as creative changes are constantly being made, back and forth.  Furthermore, there are still conflicting reports about this news bit. But it is worth pointing out.

But why only have one former ‘American Idol’ contestant fill in the soon-to-be-vacant seats of the judging panel? FOX and the producers of ‘American Idol’ have thought this one out and now want the other remaining judges to also be all former contestants of the show. Indeed, who better than those who have had their own baptism of fire at ‘American Idol’ to serve in the panel of judges? After all, they would now know who among the future contestants have “it” to make it in the real world–meaning that they, too, will excel outside of ‘Idol.’

At the moment, those others rumored to be joining Jennifer Hudson in the judging panel are Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, and Kelly Clarkson. This is certainly going to be a complete overhaul for the show–a new adrenalin shot to give it a much needed boost to its ratings.

If there is a former that would mean the most to longtime fans of the show, in my opinion, it has to be Kelly Clarkson. She was the first ever champion of ‘Idol’ and she has set the bar for future champions to follow. If–and that’s a big if–they can get her also to join the judging panel, her addition would be very meaningful and would weigh in more heavily than those of other more recent former contestants of the acclaimed show. I would see more significance in the presence of Kelly Clarkson alongside Jennifer Hudson. Further, both Clarkson and Hudson may bring back ‘American Idol’ to its former glory days of being a family-oriented show, minus the crazy antics and meltdowns viewers have been fed with in recent seasons. But let’s keep our fingers crossed for that.