'American Idol' Names 'Dream Team' Panel

Lopez, Connick

Grammy Award-winning and platinum-selling recording artist, actress, movie and television producer and entrepreneur Jennifer Lopez returns to American Idol XIII as a judge. Lopez will be joined by Grammy and Emmy Award-winning multi-platinum singer, musician, songwriter, composer and film/television and Broadway actor Harry Connick, Jr.

The two will sit on the Idol judges' panel with previously announced judge Keith Urban, the four-time Grammy Award-winning country artist who has sold more than 15 million albums.

Rounding out the team is Idol veteran Randy Jackson, who will lend his industry and IDOL expertise to the contestants as an in-house mentor. 

Keith 

Once again, the team will be led by Emmy Award-nominated host Ryan Seacrest, who has guided the Idol contestants and judges through each season's incredible journey.

Kevin Reilly, Chairman of Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company said, “American Idol has always been about discovering the next singing superstar, and next season our judging panel will deliver a most impressive combination of talent, wisdom and personality to do just that: Jennifer Lopez, the triple-threat global superstar who loves Idol and whom Idol fans love; Harry Connick, Jr., a bona-fide musical genius and fantastic Idol mentor whose honesty and expertise can help turn these hopefuls into stars; Keith Urban, a multi-Grammy-winning artist who was such a positive force on the show last season. We are also very excited to have our friend Randy Jackson now in a new role as mentor, and the captain of our team – the heart and soul of Idol – Ryan Seacrest returning as host.”