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
Search for the Idol Philippines Sanchez, the runner-up of the 11th season of American Idol, will be added as a judge but it has been denied by her. Billy Crawford confirmed his role as the host after he also renewed his contract with the network. In 2018, ABS-CBN acquired the rights to air the third incarnation of the "Idol" in the Philippines. On October 17, 2018, Regine Velasquez was revealed as the first judge following her contract signing with the network. The following month, also after a contract signing, Billy Crawford was announced to host the show. Search for the Idol Philippines Search for the