Worst American Idol Judges
by Silitonga | created - 20 May 2020 | updated - 20 May 2020 | Public“American Idol” just wrapped up its 18th season. The famous singing competition show is known for launching the careers of Grammy-award winners like Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and even Oscar winner singer/actress Jennifer Hudson.
Over the years, 14 famous faces have serve as judges on the show. "American Idol" judges are integral to the show's success. While the overall fate of the show's contestants lies in the hands of voters, the judges get to pick at who even makes it to the competition in the first place.
The judges ranged from music superstars and TV icons to producers who usually work behind the scenes. The original trio are Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson and the current panel are Luke Bryan, Katy Perry and the legendary Oscar and Grammy awards winner Lionel Richie.
Which judge do you think is the worst or gave the least positive contribution to show?
“People who judge others tell more about Who They Are, than Who They Judge.” Old saying...
It's your turn to judge them here
1. Nicki Minaj
Actress | The Other Woman
Nicki Minaj was born Onika Tanya Maraj on December 8, 1982 in St. James, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago and raised in Queens, New York City, New York. She grew up in a troubled family with a father that was a drug addict who later changed after he checked into rehab and started going to church. ...
Season 12
2. Mariah Carey
Soundtrack | Glitter
Mariah Carey was born in Long Island, New York on March 27, 1969. Her parents are Patricia Hickey (Irish-American) and Alfred Roy Carey (African-American/Venezuelan). Mariah attended Greenlawn's Harborfields High School. In June 1990, Mariah made her debut with her self-titled album, Mariah Carey ...
Season 12
3. Ellen DeGeneres
Producer | Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Emmy-winning talk show host Ellen Lee DeGeneres was born in Metairie, Louisiana, a New Orleans suburb. She is the daughter of Betty DeGeneres (née Elizabeth Jane Pfeffer), a speech therapist, and Elliott Everett DeGeneres, Jr., an insurance agent. Her brother is musician and producer Vance DeGeneres...
Season 9
4. Kara DioGuardi
Soundtrack | Get Smart
Kara DioGuardi was introduced to America on seasons 8 and 9 of the hit FOX show, American Idol (2002) and was also featured as the head judge on Bravo's songwriting reality show competition, Platinum Hit (2011). Additionally, Kara starred in her Broadway stage debut as merry murderess "Roxie Hart" ...
Season 8 & 9
5. Steven Tyler
Soundtrack | Be Cool
Steven Tyler was born on March 26, 1948 in Yonkers, New York, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for Be Cool (2005), Epic (2013) and Wayne's World 2 (1993). He was previously married to Teresa Barrick and Cyrinda Foxe.
Season 10 & 11
6. Lionel Richie
Soundtrack | The Color Purple
Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and television judge. He rose to fame in the 1970s as a songwriter and the co-lead singer of funk band the Commodores; writing and recording the hit singles "Easy", "Sail On", "Three Times a Lady" and "Still",...
Season 16, 17 & 18
7. Katy Perry
Actress | The Smurfs
Katy Perry was born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson on October 25, 1984 in Santa Barbara, California to Mary Christine Hudson (née Perry) & Maurice Keith Hudson. She has a big sister named Angela & a little brother named David, and has English, Portuguese, German, Irish, and Scottish ancestry. Her ...
Seasons 16, 17 & 18
8. Luke Bryan
Actor | Luke Bryan: One Margarita
From his early days in Nashville as a songwriter to his current status as one of country music's reigning superstars, Luke Bryan's career has been populated by songs that have had a lasting impact. Country Aircheck declared him the Most Heard Artist of the Last Decade, an honor he earned with such ...
Season 16, 17 & 18
9. Keith Urban
Soundtrack | Act of Valor
Keith was born in Whangarei, NI, New Zealand. His parents moved when Keith was 2, to Queensland in Australia. Where he grew up. He moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1992. Keith became a naturalized American citizen several years ago and voted in the 2016 Presidential election. Keith was inducted ...
Seasons 12, 13, 14 & 15
10. Randy Jackson
Soundtrack | The Truth About Cats & Dogs
Randy Jackson was born on June 23, 1956 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for The Truth About Cats & Dogs (1996), Cool Runnings (1993) and American Idol (2002). He was previously married to Erika Jackson and Elizabeth.
Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12
11. Jennifer Lopez
Producer | Hustlers
Jennifer Lynn Lopez was born on July 24, 1969 in The Bronx, New York City, New York to teacher Lupe López and computer specialist David López. The two Puerto Ricans were brought to the continental United States during their childhoods and eventually met while living in New York City. Their ...
Seasons 10, 11, 13, 14 & 15
12. Harry Connick Jr.
Actor | Hope Floats
Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is the son of Anita Frances (Levy), a lawyer and judge, and Harry Connick, Sr. (Joseph Harry Fowler Connick), who served as District Attorney of New Orleans from 1973 to 2003. His father is of Irish, English, and German ...
Seasons 13, 14 & 15
13. Paula Abdul
Actress | Robots
Paula Abdul grew up in the San Fernando Valley, California. She began taking dance lessons when she was eight. She attended Van Nuys High School, where she was senior class president and head cheerleader. After graduating in 1980, she started college at Cal State-Northridge, majoring in TV and ...
Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8
14. Simon Cowell
Actor | Scary Movie 3
Simon Cowell was born in Lambeth, London and brought up in Elstree, Hertfordshire. He is the son of Julie Cowell (née Josie Dalglish), a ballet dancer, and Eric Selig Phillip Cowell, a music industry executive. Simon started his career in the music industry working in the mailroom at EMI Music ...
Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9
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