The Return of American Idol

American Idol premieres this Wednesday after its usual seven month hiatus.

The biggest news out of the season is the new judges and how they will effect the show. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez left after being judges for two seasons. Aerosmith frontman Tyler admitted that the band’s problems was his primary reason he joined the show for the 2011 season. Now, Aerosith has out a new album and is touring.

Jennifer Lopez announced her departure shortly after Tyler’s. One of the reasons for leaving the show was Tyler’s presence. Lopez stated that she and Tyler “had magic.” She wasn’t sure what the “formula” would be like without him there. Lopez has also began to focus more on her music and went on tour with Enrique Iglesias.

Over the summer, choices for the new Idol judges ran from Brad Paisley to Nick Jonas. In the end, the judges signed for season 12 were: R7B/pop singer Mariah Carey, country singer Keith Urban, hip hop artist Nicki Minaj and producer Randy Jackson; the lone judge left from season one.

Fans heard about a Minaj-Carey feud that has made the new season more appealing. Nigel Lythgoe, producer for American Idol, said that Minaj and Carey weren’t the only judges to have a little feud. Reasons for the arguments can be attributed to the fact that all of the judges are different.

“Nicki is looking for an artist,” Lythgoe said. “Mariah is looking for the complete singer-songwriter. Randy is looking for somebody that sings on pitch. Keith is not just looking for a country singer. He is looking for an instrumentalist, a good singer and somebody that can capture that magic — charisma, if you will.”

Over the past 12 seasons, contestants from the show have had success, such as season one winner, Kelly Clarkson, season four winner, Carrie Underwood, and season eight runner-up Adam Lambert . Jennifer Hudson (season three contestant, seventh place) earned several awards for her performance in Dreamgirls and won a Grammy for her first album. Hudson has had the most success of any contestant who has not finished in the top three. Listed on Wikipedia, American Idol contestants have been nominated and won countless awards.

What will season 12 have in store? Watch American Idol Wednesday night at 8 p.m. on FOX to find out!