The game of musical chairs at American Idol continues, with Fox pulling the plug on negotiations with Enrique Iglesias to fill a judge's seat, accourding to a source close to the show.
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Iglesias had been eyed as a possible forth judge, joining the already-announced Mariah Carey, as well as Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, both of whom are said to be wrapping up deals to join the show's 12th season. Randy Jackson, a judge since the show's 2002 debut, was said to be moving to a mentor role on the show.
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But now Fox, producers Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment are said to have abandoned that scenario in favor of returning Jackson to the judge's panel. It's not clear what derailed the Iglesias plan, though money is always an issue with talent show judges. The current plan, according to the source, is to announce an Idol judge's panel of Carey, Minaj, Urban and Jackson in time for the show's on-site auditions, which start by the end of September.
Fox declined to comment.
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