Keith Urban to Return for New Season of “American Idol.”

So that's one down, two or maybe three to go. Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly has confirmed that Keith Urban will be returning to American Idol as a judge for season 13. He's the only one from season 12 who's coming back, since Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj all announced their departures several months ago.

"He did a great job on the show, fans loved him and you can see how much he loved the doing the show," Reilly told reporters at the annual Television Critics Association panel on Thursday.

As for who'll be joining Keith on the panel, Reilly told reporters that those reports about Fox having discussions with Jennifer Lopez to return to the show are -- believe it or not -- true. Also true: the reports that Jennifer Hudson, Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am and super-producer Dr. Luke are names that have been considered and discussed.
However, Reilly stressed that there aren't any deals in place yet. He added that Fox's goal for Idol is to find people who are "good at the job, [who] people like" to join the panel, but overall to "refocus on the contestants."