Report: Kanye West Turned Down “American Idol” Judging Job
Published at
Rabbani and Solimene Photography/WireImage for H&M(LOS ANGELES) — Many viewers raised their eyebrows last year when it was announced that for the first time, a rapper — Nicki Minaj — would be a judge on American Idol. That worked out fine, but imagine what viewers’ reactions would have been to the news that Kanye West was joining the panel. According to Us Weekly, it could have happened.
A source tells the magazine that West was offered the third spot on the panel this year, after Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez. After considering it, says the source, West took a pass, because he was worried it would make him seem too “mainstream,” and hurt his “street cred.”
The source claims that in addition to West, the producers were also considering Sean “Diddy” Combs and super-producer Rodney Jerkins, as well as will.i.am, who’s decided to return as a coach on the U.K. version of The Voice, according to The Hollywood Reporter. However, rumor now has it that Katy Perry’s producer, Dr. Luke, is going to get the nod.
Fox has not confirmed or denied any of this speculation and continues to offer no comment.
You can still catch West on TV this Friday on Kris, the talk show hosted by Kris Jenner, the mother of his girlfriend Kim Kardashian. According to E! News, he reveals a picture of his and Kardashian’s baby, North West, for the first time, with an audience member saying, “North is very beautiful. She has big cheeks, a lighter complexion than Kanye, but closer to Kanye’s color than Kim’s. She has straight black hair and almond eyes just like Kim. She has a round face and is really cute.”
The episode was taped earlier this week.
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio