American Idol (season 13) director after having left at the end of the ninth season to go to "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". In August 2013, Jennifer Lopez's boyfriend Casper Smart stated Lopez would be returning as an "American Idol" judge. On August 22, 2013, it was reported that Jimmy Iovine would not return as the in-house mentor for this season, but he is to be replaced by former judge Randy Jackson. On August 30, 2013, "The Hollywood Reporter" wrote that Harry Connick, Jr. signed a deal to join the panel as the third judge and that Simon Fuller held a party the
Andrew Jackson Higgins (judge) Andrew Jackson Higgins (judge) Andrew Jackson Higgins was a judge on the Supreme Court of Missouri between 1979 and 1991, and its Chief Justice from 1985 to 1987. Previously, he had served as a commissioner for the Supreme Court between 1964 and 1979, and as Circuit Court Judge for Platte County from 1960 to 1964. Zel Fischer, a current Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri, clerked for Judge Higgins from 1988 to 1989; Judge Higgins administered Judge Fischer's oath. After retiring from the bench, Judge Higgins became an advocate against plans to change the way Missouri selects its judges.