Nigel Lythgoe: "Mariah Carey And Nicki Minaj's "American Idol" Casting Was a Major Failing"

American Idol's former producer Nigel Lythgoe has broken his silence about the talent show's cancellation and why he believes hiring Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj as judges was a mistake.  





"It's the right thing to do," Lythgoe, 65, told Billboard, noting: "I'm a huge fan of boxing, and it's like when you're watching a real heavyweight boxer getting to the end of their career, and all these young whippersnappers are coming up: You've got to know when to retire."

The producer revealed that the show was ideal for Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler's careers, but not for the two female performers.

"Mariah and Nicki was just crazy, and then it really started becoming about the judges and took away from the contestants altogether," Nigel said, adding: "I think that was a major failing on the part of casting to have those two together. On their own, either one may have been successful."


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