Judges

  • Jennifer Lopez

    Jennifer Lopez Headshot

    Full name: Jennifer Lynn Lopez
    Nickname(s): J.Lo.
    Date of birth: July 24, 1969
    Hometown: Bronx, New York
    Currently resides in: New York City and Los Angeles
    Education: Preston High School in the Bronx
    Realtionship status:Separated from singer Marc Anthony. Marc was Jennifer's third husband; she was married briefly to Ojani Noa (from 1997 to 1998) and backup dancer Cris Judd (from 2001 to 2003). She...

  • Randy Jackson

    Randy Jackson Headshot

    Full name: Randall Darius Jackson
    Nickname(s): Randy, The Dawg, The Emperor
    Date of birth: June 23, 1956
    Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
    Currently resides in: Los Angeles, California
    Wife: Erika Riker Jackson
    Children: Taylor (daugher, born 1990) with his first wife, Elizabeth Jackson; Zoe (daughter, born 1996) and Jordan (son, born 1998) with his current wife
    Resume highlights: Bassist, singer,...

  • Steven Tyler

    Steven Tyler Headshot

    Full name: Steven Victor Tallarico
    Date of birth: March 26, 1948
    Hometown: Yonkers, New York
    Currently resides in: Steven has homes in Marshfield, Massachusetts, Sunapee, New Hampshire, Cape Cod, New York, and Los Angeles.
    Education: Leonard Quintano School for Young Professionals
    Ex-wives: Steven is twice divorced. He married Cyrinda Foxe, an ex-Warhol model, in 1978, and they divorced in 1987. He...

  • Paula Abdul

    Paula Abdul Headshot

    Full name: Paula Julie Abdul
    Date of birth: June 19, 1962
    Hometown: San Fernando, California
    Currently resides in: Los Angeles, California
    Education: Attended California State University at Northridge, but dropped out to focus on her choreography and dancing career
    Significant other? Paula was married to Emilio Estevez from 1992 to 1994; she is currently single.
    Resume highlights: Dancer,...

  • Simon Cowell

    Simon Cowell Headshot

    Full name: Simon Phillip Cowell
    Nickname(s): Mr. Nasty, Judge Dread
    Date of birth: October 7, 1959
    Hometown: Brighton, East Sussex, England
    Currently resides in: Los Angeles, California
    Education: Attended Dover College, but left before the sixth form
    Significant other? Simon is engaged to make up artist Mezhgan Hussainy, whom he met on the set of American Idol.
    Resume highlights: Music executive, TV...

  • Nicki Minaj

    Nicki Minaj at the 2012 BET Awards

    Full Name: Onika Tanya Miraj
    Nickname(s): Harajuku Barbie, Nicki Lewinsky, the Ninja, the Mistress
    Date of birth: December 8, 1982
    Hometown: Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago
    Currently resides in: Hollywood, California
    Resume highlights: Nicki is the first female artist to be included on MTV’s Annual Hottest MC List. She’s also won six BET Awards, two American Music Awards, two MTV Music Awards, and...

  • Mariah Carey

    Mariah Carey's American Idol Season 12 Promo

    Full Name: Mariah Angela Carey
    Nickname(s): Mimi, M.C.
    Date of birth: March 27, 1970
    Hometown: Long Island, New York
    Currently resides in: New York City, New York and Beverly Hills, California.
    Husband: Nick Cannon
    Children: Daughter Monroe Cannon and son Morrocan Scott Cannon, twins born on April 30, 2011.
    Resume highlights: Mariah has five Grammys, 11 American Music Awards, 17 World Music Awards,...

  • Keith Urban

    Keith Urban at the American Idol Season 12 Photocall on September 16, 2012

    Full Name: Keith Lionel Urban
    Nickname(s): Suburban
    Date of birth: October 26, 2012
    Hometown: Caboolture, Queensland, Australia
    Currently resides in: Nashville, Tennessee
    Wife: Nicole Kidman
    Children: Sunday Rose (daughter, born July 7, 2008) and Faith Margaret (daughter, born January 17, 2011).
    Resume Highlights: Keith is a four-time Grammy winner and plays eight different instruments.
    Bet you didn’t...