American Idol that season, but left after just one season. On January 11, 2010, Simon Cowell left the show to pursue introducing the American version of his show "The X Factor" for 2011. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler joined the judging panel in the tenth season, but both left after two seasons. They were replaced by three new judges, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban, who joined Randy Jackson in the twelfth season. However both Carey and Minaj left after one season, and Randy Jackson departed the show after twelve seasons as a judge but would return as a mentor. Urban
American Idol (season 8) the age of 13, as well as numerous other instruments. Prior to "Idol", he worked as a worship leader at New Life Church in Maumelle, Arkansas, and is a member of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at the University of Central Arkansas, where he is a business major. Allen was announced the winner on May 20. He went on to release his first official single, "No Boundaries", which was written by Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. As a part of winning "Idol", Allen was signed by Jive Records and 19 Entertainment. Adam Lambert (born January 29, 1982 in Indianapolis, Indiana, 26 years