Yo! Yo! Yo! Randy Jackson Is Leaving ‘American Idol’

Robbie Daw | May 9, 2013 4:25 pm

Randy Jackson is definitely no longer in it to win it. The last standing original judge from American Idol Season 1 announced today that he’ll be departing the panel once the current, twelfth season wraps up in a few weeks.

“Yo! Yo! Yo!” Jackson said in a statement. “To put all of the speculation to rest, after twelve years of judging on American Idol I have decided to leave after this season. I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It’s been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures.”

Of course, Randy’s attempt to end speculation only causes more speculation. Rumors have been lurking in the periphery that fellow judge Mariah Carey is on her own way out, and will be replaced by returning Idol personality Jennifer Lopez next year. Carey and additional AI newcomer Nicki Minaj have been, to put it politely, clawing each other’s wigs off since 2012, thanks to recurring spats — several of which have been televised.

Maybe Randy is showing solidarity for his old pal Mimi by taking a bow? Or perhaps he’s just burnt out after 12 long years of hearing hundreds of amateurs warble in his face for the sake of (diminishing) TV ratings?

We may never know, Dawg. We may never know.