Welcome to the Judge’s Table ‘Luke Bryan’!

After months of speculation and after Keith Urban said "life goes on" if he does not return to the judges panel on the New American Idol, Variety broke the news late Sunday afternoon, the new judge has been announced.

Welcome to the land of TV competition Luke Bryan! We knew Ryan Seacrest is returning as the host. Early talks included Lionel Richie, but it seems those discussions did not happen.

A.I. will debut on ABC television network. Katy Perry is already a confirmed judge and we have yet to know who will occupy the third chair. New this year, the judges panel will be three and not four chairs. Katty Perry is getting paid an salary of $25 million dollars. No word on the paycheck for Luke Bryan.

American Idol auditions will start on less than a week and will debut after the Oscars on March 4th.

(source)