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American Idol is one of the biggest shows on TV!

The singing reality TV series, which kicked off as Pop Idol in the U.K. before launching in America in 2012, has successfully sprung up all around the world with a bunch of international versions, boasting major superstars for judges.

After airing on Fox from 2002 to 2016 for 15 seasons, it was on hiatus for two years until 2018, when a revival of the series began on ABC, and it’s aired ever since.

Over the years, plenty of talent has judged and mentored the contestants all the way to the top. And one by one, all of them have eventually left the show to go on and do other things – even the last remaining original judge from the U.S. series.

We’ve rounded up all of the judges who have since departed from American Idol, along with the explanations they’ve given for why they left the show.

Scroll through to see every judge who left American Idol and why…

American Idol Season 22 premieres this weekend!

The 22nd season of the show debuts Sunday February 18) on ABC (find out who’s back as a judge!), and we’re excited to see who will be the next American Idol.

Ever since launching the career of Kelly Clarkson all the way back in 2002, the long-running singing competition series has resulted in successful, lucrative runs for several contestants on the show – and many of the biggest names weren’t even necessarily the winners!

Since their seasons, so many stars of the show have released hit singles and albums, won awards, and made transitions into film and TV work, as well as racking up big endorsement deals and launching successful side ventures.

We took a look back through the years and rounded up the most wealthy American Idol alums based on the data online, and ranked them from lowest to highest.

Scroll through to find out which American Idol stars have the highest net worth…

Lionel Richie is reacting to Katy Perry‘s American Idol exit announcement.

Earlier this week, the 39-year-old “Dark Horse” singer announced that she will be leaving the ABC singing competition after season 22, which premieres this weekend.

While appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday (Feb. 15), Lionel, 74, reacted to Katy‘s announcement, which he says he didn’t know about ahead of time.

Keep reading to find out more…More Here! »

Katy Perry is leaving American Idol.

The 39-year-old singer has been a judge on the competition show alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie since 2018.

Ahead of American Idol‘s 22nd season, Katy revealed that it will be her final run with the show.

Keep reading to find out more…More Here! »

Congratulations are in order for Lauren Alaina – she’s married!

The 29-year-old American Idol season 10 runner-up married longtime love Cameron Arnold in a “big, loud” wedding on Sunday (February 4) at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville, Tenn.

Keep reading to find out more…More Here! »

American Idol is coming back this month!

The fan-favorite reality TV singing competition series will be back on Sunday, February 18 at 8 p.m. ET, and the three judges have been officially announced, via ABC.

In addition, a mentor has been named – and it’s a big music star from American Idol!

Auditions kicked off last August with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, which discovered last year’s winner, Iam Tongi.

Find out who is set to star on American Idol in 2024…

American Idol is coming back next month!

The long-running reality TV singing competition series will be back on Sunday, February 18 at 8 p.m. ET, and the three judges have been officially announced, via ABC.

Auditions kicked off last August with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next superstar, which discovered last year’s winner, Iam Tongi.

Find out who is set to star on American Idol in 2024…