Jennifer Hudson Returning To 'American Idol' As Judge?

It takes one to know one, and maybe that's why "American Idol" producers are reportedly courting former contestant Jennifer Hudson to sit at the judges' table next season.

According to The Wrap, the Oscar and Grammy winner is in talks to judge during season 13. Hudson, who competed on the third season, appeared on the show's season finale last week alongside winner Candice Glover.

"The show's producers feel they've lost their core audience," the source adds. "And they want to bring back former contestants in order to tell their core audience, 'We love you.' They know they've made some major mistakes over the past few seasons and they want to make it right with their fans."

OG judge Randy Jackson has confirmed he's leaving the show, and it's still unclear if Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey or Keith Urban will be back for more. The show is reportedly looking to go back to a three-judge format. The show's first-ever winner, Kelly Clarkson, is also rumored for a judging spot on the show. Vulture further reports that other former idols like Clay Aiken and Adam Lambert are also possibilities, though nothing has been confirmed by their reps.

Fox entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly told reporters last week that "everything is on the table."

The latest round of names comes just weeks after it was rumored that A-listers like Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Pink and Sean "Diddy" Combs might be in the running for a gig. Experts who spoke to MTV News note that it's going to take something big to get fans interested in the longtime reality TV juggernaut, whether it be a major reboot in the show's format or finding a better formula for the folks who end up on the judging panel.

With so much still up in the air, "American Idol" runner-up Kree Harrison spoke to us earlier this week, hoping that Urban, Minaj and Carey might be given a second chance, despite all the headlines about Minaj and Carey's beef.

"I mean I loved watching all of them together," she said. "I don't know who the fourth judge would be if they kept those three. I have to say I'm really thankful that I got to be a part of Randy's last season 'cause I love him," she said. "Getting to play with him on the finale was amazing. He's a really cool guy."

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