American Idol season 12
The twelfth season of American Idol premiered on January 16, 2013, as part of the mid-season of the 2012–13 network television season.[1] Ryan Seacrest returned as host. Randy Jackson returned for his twelfth season as judge and was joined by new judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, and Keith Urban, who replaced Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
American Idol
On May 16, 2013, Candice Glover was crowned the winner, defeating Kree Harrison, who was the runner-up. In a series first, Glover's debut album, Music Speaks, was available for preorder immediately following the finale broadcast. Both Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj left after this season, having only served on the judges panel for one season, to focus on their music careers.[2][3]
Changes from previous seasons[edit]
After a sharp drop in ratings during the eleventh season, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly announced that the show would undergo "some creative tweaking" for the following season.[4] After two seasons, judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler announced their exits from the series on July 12 and 13, 2012, respectively.[5][6] On July 23, Mariah Carey was announced as a judge for the twelfth season.[7] On September 16, returning judge Randy Jackson and new hires Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban were confirmed to also serve on the judges panel.[8][9] On December 31, 2012, it was announced that Ryan Seacrest had signed on to remain the host for at least two more seasons.[10]
Producer Nigel Lythgoe indicated on January 9, 2013, that during the Hollywood rounds, the men and women would perform on separate weeks, and be matched in equal number right up until the top 10 live shows.[11] He also announced that there would be no Wild Cards.[12] Instead, he instituted a brand new "sudden death" round in which the top 40 had to perform in front of a live audience, and then the judges would choose five out of the ten contestants per show to proceed to the top 20. The number of finalists was limited to ten for the first time since the first season.
This season also introduced the "SuperVote," where viewers were able to cast fifty votes at once online or through the new American Idol app, in addition to the regular voting methods.[13] Voters were able to allocate any number of votes to one contestant or multiple contestants, for a total of fifty votes, across all online voting destinations.
This season also showcased an "Idol Update" segment by bringing back many American Idol alumni to perform or appear as guests in the audience. Alumni performers included Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Katharine McPhee, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, Adam Lambert, Lee DeWyze, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Phillip Phillips, Colton Dixon, and Jessica Sanchez.
Mariah Carey–Nicki Minaj feud[edit]
A video was leaked to TMZ in October 2012 which showed Nicki Minaj erupting in a tirade against Mariah Carey during the audition in Charlotte, North Carolina.[32] It was also claimed that Minaj was heard saying off-camera, "If I had a gun, I would shoot that bitch."[33][34] Minaj, however, denied that she had made the threat.[35] Ryan Seacrest said that the dispute "went a little too far,"[36] while Keith Urban jokingly said "I was the UN,"[37] and the feud elicited a comment from President Barack Obama that Carey and Minaj would "sort it out."[38] In an interview with Barbara Walters on The View that aired on January 7, 2013, Carey said that due to Minaj's threats, it "felt like an unsafe work environment," and claimed that she had boosted her personal security.[39] Minaj stated that Barbara Walters never attempted to contact her for any comment regarding her side of the story.[40] Carey also said that she has since made up with Minaj. Carey's then-husband Nick Cannon claimed that the feud was used by American Idol producers to generate interest and ratings.[41] Producer Nigel Lythgoe, however, denied that he was responsible for leaking the video or that it was a publicity stunt, and said that he had no plans to use the footage in advance of or during the season.[42][43] Fox executive Mike Darnell described the buzz due to the feud as being great.[44] The aired episode of the Charlotte audition did not show the tirade and what was shown appeared to have no real linear connection with the leaked footage.[45]
In April 2013, Carey noted during an episode of American Idol that Minaj had not had a number-one song on the US Billboard Hot 100. The next day, Minaj took to Twitter to post what have been described as "extremely harsh" insults against Carey. She labeled the singer "insecure" and "bitter," while also referencing a widely spread rumor that the producers of American Idol wanted to bring Jennifer Lopez back to the judges panel after a significant decline in ratings this season. "All dem #1s but JLo phone ringin? Lol. I guess having a personality, being a secure woman, and giving genuine critique still trumps that," Minaj tweeted.[46][47][48][49] In November 2013, Carey stated that "American Idol was like going to work every day in hell with Satan."[50]