Dr. Luke Joins ‘American Idol’ As Judge [Report]
Lukasz Gottwald, better known as Dr. Luke, has signed on to be the third judge for season 13 of American Idol.
Rumors began circulating earlier this week that Dr. Luke was in talks to join Idol after will.i.am turned down the gig to return to the UK version of The Voice. He’ll be joining Tom Jones, who is expected to return, and Kylie Minogue, although she has yet to officially sign on for the competition.
A source told The Hollywood Reporter that will.i.am and former Idol judge Jennifer Lopez “were really funny together,” but that negotiations never quite took off. Lopez has been rumored to be returning to the series after boyfriend Casper Smart spilled the beans to E! Online. J. Lo previously judged in 2011 and 2012. It was also rumored that Lopez’s ex-boyfriend, Sean “Diddy” Combs, turned down the gig because of J. Lo’s involvement, but Diddy denied that claim.
Season 12 judge Keith Urban will be returning to the singing competition. Fox Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly confirmed the news earlier this month, and said that fans really liked Urban last season. He also said Urban is a “really funny guy.” Urban is the only member of the season 12 judging panel to return — Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, and Mariah Carey have all confirmed their departures. However, Jackson is reportedly in talks to replace Jimmy Iovine as in-house mentor.
Dr. Luke may not be a household name, but music lovers will certainly be familiar with his work. Some of the hits the producer has worked on include Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and “My Life Would Suck Without You,” Pink’s “Who Knew,” and Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl.” Dr. Luke has also worked with Britney Spears, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, Nicki Minaj, and Rihanna. He also signed a then-18-year-old Ke$ha to his Kemosabe Entertainment record label in 2005.
