'Idol' adds Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban as judges

Fox named the remaining new judges of "American Idol" Sunday, as rapper Nicki Minaj and country singer Keith Urban joined the previously announced Mariah Carey and founding judge Randy Jackson for the first round of season 12 auditions, held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan's Time Warner Center. Ryan Seacrest remains as host.

The singing competition returns to TV in January.

The two newcomers succeed singers Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. Carey -- the recording industry's top-selling female artist since Nielsen SoundScan began keeping records in 1991 -- signed on in July.

The new judging panel, expanded to four people from three, will proceed to auditions in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, N.C., San Antonio, Baton Rouge, La., and Oklahoma City.

Minaj, 29, "is someone who represents a different side of the music industry, who has now crossed into mainstream culture with her unique artistry, style and flair," Cecile Frot-Coutaz, chief executive of FremantleMedia, the show's production company, said in a statement. "Keith is one of country music's true stars who brings with him charm, wit and knowledge about the industry."

Urban, a four-time Grammy Award winner, told The Associated Press at the New York City auditions that he planned to be tempered in his judgments.

Saying he recalls being a contestant on "similar shows when I was very young in Australia," where the New Zealand-born singer, 44, grew up, he recalled, "I was sort of crucified by one judge. So I don't know that I'll ever be that guy."

Huntington-born Carey, 42, told the AP she did not know what type of judge she would be. "Am I the mean one? Am I the nice one? . . . It's not about me, me, me, it's about and what I can bring to them to help guide them in the right direction."

Rumors had flown about possible new judges, with Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, Enrique Iglesias, Katy Perry and Kanye West among the names bandied about.

As early as Aug. 24, The Hollywood Reporter said Minaj was near signing for an estimated $8 million salary and Urban for an estimated $4 million.

The trade paper said Carey was expected to make $18 million.