American Idol (season 13) American Idol (season 13) The thirteenth season of "American Idol", styled as American Idol XIII, premiered on the Fox television network on January 15, 2014. Ryan Seacrest returned as host for his thirteenth season. Keith Urban was the only judge from the twelfth season to return. Former judge Jennifer Lopez, who returned after one season absence, and Harry Connick, Jr. joined the judging panel following the departures of Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson, though Jackson returned as a mentor, replacing Jimmy Iovine. On May 21, Caleb Johnson was announced the winner of the season, with Jena Irene as
Peter Jackson (judge) had been widely criticised in the media for being able to make crucial rulings without public scrutiny. In January 2016 Judge Jackson issued a ruling which appeared at variance with the findings of police investigation which had resulted in no prosecution. Although there had been no prosecution the Judge found that the father had on the balance of probabilities abused the baby before her death. Judge Jackson also criticised the Police and Social Services. In September 2016 Jackson was praised for rephrasing an entire judgement into a 17-page document using simple phrases and emojis in hopes that the children involved