American Idol (season 12) American Idol (season 12) The twelfth season of "American Idol" premiered on January 16, 2013, as part of the mid-season of the 2012–13 network television season. Ryan Seacrest returned to host. Randy Jackson returned for his twelfth season as judge and was joined by new judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, who replaced Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. The season was the third to have four judges, after the eighth and ninth seasons. It was also the first season in the show's history where all the finalists of one gender (male) were eliminated before any finalists of the
American Idol: Greatest Moments American Idol: Greatest Moments American Idol: Greatest Moments is the first "American Idol" soundtrack, with music from the first season of "American Idol". It contains two cover songs from both Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, the winner and runner-up of the original season, one song from the remaining eight finalists, one song by all the finalists, and Clarkson's two songs from her debut single as bonus tracks. It is the only "American Idol" album that endorses the winner's single. The album was released on October 1, 2002. The album debuted at number four on the US "Billboard" 200 album chart