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Entertainment Weekly files their own report on the judges rumors.

First, Simon Fuller gave them a statement:

“There will be several positive announcements to follow shortly,” Fuller told EW in a statement. “American Idol is moving up a gear and with the help and commitment from Fox, who are more intimately involved and supportive this season than ever before, we are looking forward to a dynamic new season ahead.”

EW independently confirmed:

• Randy Jackson won’t be leaving American Idol, but he won’t likely be a judge either. Unless HE decides to leave, or negotiations with potential judges fall apart, he will move into a mentor like role.  Fox and producers would like to make a judges panel clean-sweep for the 2013 season.
• Nicki Minaj is  near a deal to join the show as a judge.
• The third spot,  is most likely going to country music star Keith Urban.
• If “Fox and producers decide to go full throttle, for a fourth spot” it will be  is Spanish singer-songerwriter Enrique Iglesias.   Hanging in there with an outside chance, Idol veteran Adam Lambert ”is still in the mix.”

I heard a rumor that the judges rounds would begin around September 22. If that’s true, I would expect a press conference during premiere week, beginning September 12. But, it could be sooner.

Via Entertainment Weekly