Keith Urban Joins Judges on ‘American Idol’

The country crooner, along with rapper Nicki Minaj, will be replacing departing judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez this coming season of “American Idol.”

Another judge, Mariah Carey, was added in July. “Idol” mainstay Randy Jackson rounds out the panel and is the only original cast member besides Ryan Seacrest to remain on the show.

Urban is excited to work with everyone and says he’s “looking forward ..to seeing the same passion that I have for music in all of the participants.”

However, the new season of “Idol” hasn’t even aired yet and there’s already been plenty of drama. Drama mainly from judges Carey and Minaj.

It’s not known how it all started, but ever since filming the two haven’t been on each other’s good side.

Unfortunately, that’s left Urban right in the middle.

But despite their feuding, the two divas showed some respect toward one another at a panel this week.

“I actually say nice things about Mariah all the time,” Minaj told reporters, while promoting American Idol at the Television Critics Association’s winter tour in Pasadena.

“She is one who really has shaped a generation of singers. … They aspire to be a Mariah Carey in terms of their talent and career and to be given a chance to sing in front of her,” Minaj added.

“We actually [worked on] one of my favorite videos and songs,” Carey chimed in. “And I did know and feel that she was going to go very far.”

Carey, who mentioned that “time heals all wounds,” went on to tell Minaj that their dramatic saga “was sort of one-sided” which Minaj denied on the spot.

Even though they didn’t bring up much about their feud, Carey jokes around and says the only thing they can agree on are shoes.

You can catch the new season of “American Idol” this month.