The Verdict Is In: Where Are All 12 Former American Idol Judges Now In 2025?
The legacy of American Idol is not just its winners, but the iconic, often controversial, and always memorable judges who shaped the show's cultural dominance for two decades. The original panel set the standard, and the subsequent celebrity judges—ranging from pop royalty to rock legends—kept the drama and star power high. With the show continuing into its 23rd season in 2025, and a recent high-profile exit by Katy Perry, fans are more curious than ever about what the past titans of the judging table are doing today, and how their careers have evolved since leaving the most famous seat in reality television. This article provides the definitive, most current update on where every single former American Idol judge is right now, with news and projects stretching into late 2025 and 2026.
As of late 2025, many of these former judges are not only back to their core careers but are achieving new milestones. Simon Cowell is launching a major new venture, Katy Perry is embarking on a massive world tour, and other stars like Mariah Carey and Steven Tyler are making significant waves in music and film, proving that the Idol spotlight was just one chapter in their storied careers.
Complete Roster of Former American Idol Judges and Their Biographies
The American Idol judging panel has seen twelve official members depart the show since its debut in 2002. Here is a complete list of every former judge and the seasons they served, providing the topical authority needed to track their current careers.
- Simon Cowell: Record executive, television producer, and entrepreneur. Known for his blunt, often harsh critiques.
- Seasons: 1–9 (2002–2010)
- Paula Abdul: Singer, dancer, choreographer, and television personality. Known for her supportive, nurturing comments and on-screen chemistry with Cowell.
- Seasons: 1–8 (2002–2009)
- Randy Jackson: Musician, record producer, and former Vice President of A&R at Columbia Records. Known for his signature phrase "Dawg" and focus on musicality.
- Seasons: 1–12 (2002–2013)
- Kara DioGuardi: Songwriter, record producer, and music publisher.
- Seasons: 8–9 (2009–2010)
- Ellen DeGeneres: Comedian, television host, and actress.
- Season: 9 (2010)
- Jennifer Lopez (J.Lo): Singer, actress, dancer, and producer.
- Seasons: 10–11, 13–15 (2011–2012, 2014–2016)
- Steven Tyler: Lead singer of the rock band Aerosmith.
- Seasons: 10–11 (2011–2012)
- Mariah Carey: Singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer.
- Season: 12 (2013)
- Nicki Minaj: Rapper, singer, songwriter, and actress.
- Season: 12 (2013)
- Keith Urban: Country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
- Seasons: 12–15 (2013–2016)
- Harry Connick Jr.: Singer, composer, actor, and television host.
- Seasons: 13–15 (2014–2016)
- Katy Perry: Singer, songwriter, and television personality. The most recent major departure.
- Seasons: 16–22 (2018–2024)
The Original Trio: Simon, Paula, and Randy’s Latest Projects (2025)
The dynamic between Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson is often cited as the formula that made American Idol an instant sensation. Their current careers demonstrate a fascinating mix of new media ventures and a return to their roots.
Simon Cowell: The Next Act and Global Production
Since leaving Idol, Cowell has focused on his global talent show empire, including America’s Got Talent and The X Factor. However, his most significant new project in late 2025 is a pivot to streaming content. Cowell is the focus of a new Netflix docuseries/talent competition called Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which is set to premiere in December 2025.
The six-part series follows Cowell as he embarks on a bold new venture: building a brand-new boyband from scratch, a direct callback to his early career success with groups like One Direction. This move demonstrates his continued authority as a music mogul and his ability to adapt to the changing landscape of talent television.
Randy Jackson: Health, Wellness, and Unify Health Labs
The last remaining original judge, Randy Jackson, has shifted his public focus significantly toward health and wellness. Jackson, who was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes over two decades ago and underwent gastric bypass surgery, is passionate about maintaining his over 100-pound weight loss.
In 2025, his primary business venture is his dietary supplement company, Unify Health Labs, where he serves as the founder. Jackson is actively involved in promoting products and sharing his personal health transformation, utilizing his celebrity platform to advocate for a healthy lifestyle—a stark contrast to his "Dawg" days behind the judging table.
Paula Abdul: Choreography and Public Appearances
Paula Abdul continues to celebrate her iconic career in music and dance. In 2025, she was a notable presence at industry events, including the 2025 World Choreography Awards in Los Angeles, where she stole the spotlight on the red carpet. Furthermore, she celebrated a milestone anniversary of her Hollywood star in December 2025. While she has participated in various reality shows like The Masked Singer, her current focus remains on her legacy as a pop icon and a revered choreographer, often making high-profile public appearances that honor her decades-long career.
From Pop Queens to Rock Legends: The Second Era Judges Today
The second wave of American Idol judges featured some of the biggest names in the music industry, each bringing a distinct flavor of star power, from pop divas to country stars. Their 2025 activities show they are all fully immersed in their core careers.
Katy Perry: New Music and World Tour
The most recent former judge, Katy Perry, departed Idol in 2024 to return to her roots as a global pop star. Her return to music has been aggressive and highly publicized. In 2025, Perry released her newest album, 143, and is set to embark on the massive Lifetimes World Tour, which begins in Mexico City in April 2025.
Perry has been candid about her time on the show, reportedly calling the experience "suffocating" due to the demanding schedule, which underscores her current commitment to her music career and creative freedom.
Jennifer Lopez: Film, Music, and Creative Boundaries
Jennifer Lopez, who served two separate stints on the show, is currently focused on her film and music projects, pushing her creative boundaries into new genres. In January 2025, her highly anticipated film Unstoppable premiered on Prime Video.
Lopez is also starring in the movie musical Kiss of the Spider Woman, a project she discussed at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where she is showcasing her triple-threat talents as an actress, singer, and dancer.
Mariah Carey: The Queen of Christmas and New Album
Despite her brief but memorable single season, Mariah Carey remains a titan of the music industry. In late 2025, Carey released her sixteenth studio album, Here for It All, on September 26, 2025.
She also announced her annual tradition, the Christmastime in Las Vegas residency for the 2025 holiday season, solidifying her status as the "Queen of Christmas" and demonstrating her continued touring and recording success.
Nicki Minaj: Record-Breaking Tour Success
Like her co-judge Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj’s single season was full of drama, but her career post-Idol has reached new heights. In 2025, Minaj continues to headline the second leg of her record-breaking Pink Friday 2 World Tour, in support of her album Pink Friday 2.
The tour is a massive success, noted as the highest-grossing tour of all time by a female rapper, underscoring her dominance in the hip-hop world.
Steven Tyler: Aerosmith and Collaborations
The Aerosmith frontman, Steven Tyler, remains active in the rock world. In November 2025, Aerosmith released a collaborative EP with British musician Yungblud, titled One More Time.
Tyler also made a high-profile appearance, joining The Joe Perry Project on stage in September 2025, which was hailed as an unofficial Aerosmith reunion, proving his commitment to live performance.
Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.: Concerts and Carnegie Hall
Country star Keith Urban is actively touring in 2025 and 2026 with his High & Alive World Tour, which kicked off in May 2025. He also released a new live album, High and A(Live), recorded during the tour.
Jazz musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. is focused on his classical and composing work. He is set to premiere a new composition at Carnegie Hall during the 2025–26 season, a tribute to the 100th anniversary of his mother's birth, showcasing his serious musical depth.
Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres: Behind-the-Scenes Influence
The two judges with the shortest tenures are still highly influential in their respective fields.
- Kara DioGuardi: The Grammy-nominated songwriter continues to operate in the music business's highest echelons. In 2025, she was re-selected as a Songwriter Director on the board of The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective), a key organization in music publishing. She is also the co-CEO of Arthouse Entertainment Publishing.
- Ellen DeGeneres: Following the conclusion of her talk show, DeGeneres is enjoying a quieter life. In late 2024 and 2025, news emerged that she and her wife, Portia de Rossi, had made a significant move, relocating to the English countryside in the Cotswolds, stepping away from the intense Hollywood spotlight.
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