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Randy Jackson had kind words for the newly announced panel of American Idol judges when he spoke to THR and a group of reporters outside Tuesday’s Novak Djokovic Foundation Gala Dinner in New York.
Jackson said that the panel, which includes Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr., is “amazing” and will make the upcoming season of Idol the “greatest show of its kind ever.”
“I know them all very, very well. They’re all amazing people, great in their own right, very credible, really cool, funny,” he added, saying that viewers could expect a lot of inside jokes from the group.
PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ Judges Past and Present
Jackson was among the celebrity guests at Djokovic’s second annual event, designed to raise money for his eponymous foundation to benefit childhood education in Serbia. Others on hand to support the cause included Naomi Campbell, Goldie Hawn, Ricky Gervais, Jesse Metcalfe, Adriana Lima, Nicky Hilton, Ryan Lochte and tennis legends Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. The fundraiser, at Capitale in lower Manhattan, raised $2.5 million, besting last year’s total of $1.4 million.
As for his move from judge to mentor, Jackson likened it to becoming a Supreme Court justice. “I’ve moved to the higher court now,” he said.
And while he’s looking forward to seeing Ryan Seacrest when the Idol gang reunites, Jackson joked that Seacrest’s new gig as host of NBC’s The Million Second Quiz is making him “meaner.”
Hm, perhaps next season’s most critical voice will be the host’s.
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