Days after turning his back on the Australian version of The Voice, country rock star Keith Urban has been named as a judge on the new series of American Idol along with singer-rapper Nicki Minaj.
The Fox network officially named the pair in an announcement on Sunday, just hours before the first round of judging for next season was due to begin in New York.
The announcement also settles the status of Randy Jackson. He will stay put as the sole remaining original Idol judge, scotching rumours of a different role for him on the popular talent competition.
This trio joins newcomer Mariah Carey on a judges' panel now expanded to four members from its previous three.
They fill vacancies left by Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, who announced their exits in July.
American Idol returns for its 12th season in January.
Australia's Nine Network confirmed last Thursday that Urban would not be on the coaching panel for the second season of The Voice.
"I've been so fortunate to have been a part of The Voice. And as much as I'd love to do it again, it's clear that the recording and promoting of a new album, a tour and other commitments, will keep me from being a part of the second season," Urban said in a statement last week.
Arriving at New York's Lincoln Center, where the auditions would take place, Urban, who is married to Australian actress Nicole Kidman, hailed Idol for its "great history of producing real stars".
As an Idol judge, he said he plans to be "authentic" but not cruel.
"I did similar shows when I was very young in Australia," he recalled, "and I was sort of crucified by one judge. So I don't know that I'll ever be that guy."
