Randy Jackson Is Leaving American Idol

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Randy Jackson recently announced that he will be leaving American Idol after this season, season 12. Randy Jackson has been judging American Idol for 12 years and his role as a judge on the show is finally coming to an end. Although we have seen many judges come and go, Randy Jackson has been on American Idol since day one and it will be hard saying good bye to one of the original judges.  Jackson is going on to pursue and focus on his new company, Dream Merchant 21 as well as his many other business ventures.

"To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season," Jackson told Us Weekly yesterday. "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity, but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."

According to The Wrap, American Idols current judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban will not be returning to the show next season as well. Nigel Lythgoe, producer of American Idol will also not be returning to the show. American Idol isn't doing as well as it had in the past and the ratings have gone down drastically. Though the show doesn't seem to have much going for it now days, it seems as though Randy leaving the show will be most hard hitting.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/randy-jackson-leaving-american-idol-20130510#ixzz2SxYEoW9j