Monday September 17, 2012 10:50 AM EDT
Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson & American Idol Crew Share Season 12 Excitement
From left: Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Ryan Seacrest, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson Michael Becker/FOX
by Wade Rouse
The judging panel for American Idol has finally been set – and it's officially a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are teaming up with Mariah Carey and Idol stalwart Randy Jackson, who returns for the singing competition's 12th season starting in January.
While endless names were rumored to fill the seats at the judges table, returning host Ryan Seacrest confirmed season 12's judges via Twitter on Sunday, writing, "It's official, your new #IdolJudges are @MariahCarey, @NickiMinaj, @KeithUrban & @Yo_RandyJackson!
"We are back, it's on," Randy Jackson told his followers a few hours later.
Carey even chimed in to share a photo, "At the @AmericanIdol judging table... Oh and @RyanSeacrest is here too!"
Aspiring superstars are now meeting the new, eclectic four-person panel in New York City, where auditions began Sunday.
