Ellen DeGeneres | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

American Idol is a cultural institution, and Season 21 is coming to an end tonight (Sunday, May 21) at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

The reality TV competition show – which kicked off as Pop Idol in the U.K. before launching in America in 2012 – has since spread all around the world with a bunch of international versions, all 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…

Ellen DeGeneres is opening up about life at home.

The 65-year-old The Ellen DeGeneres Show alum spoke out about her new home in an interview with The RIV Magazine, out now.

During the conversation, her first sit down interview in over a year, Ellen spoke about her new “forever” home, dividing labor with wife Portia de Rossi when working on the house, and fixing it up quickly.

Click through to see what Ellen DeGeneres had to say…

Ellen DeGeneres wants everyone to know: she guessed Paris Hilton‘s baby boy’s name first!

The 65-year-old Ellen DeGeneres Show former host shared footage on her social media following the 42-year-old socialite revealing her baby’s name, Phoenix.

“I named @ParisHilton’s baby! What do I win?!?! A hotel?!?!” she captioned a clip of her interview with Paris, which took place over a year ago.

In the throwback clip, Ellen asked if she would name her future son after a “city or country.”

“Phoenix?” she guessed.

“I’m scared someone will steal the name,” she said, adding, “no one I know” has the name…not telling you.”

“Alright. We’re going to take a break then. I’ll guess it. I will … Phoenix?” Ellen added.

Watch the fun throwback clip…

Find out what Paris Hilton said about her baby boy!

So many celebrities were on hand to celebrate with Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi!

The special event went down on Tuesday (February 1), as Portia surprised Ellen during what was thought to be a 50th birthday party for Portia-turned-vow renewal ceremony.

“You don’t have to say anything at all, but when I was thinking about what would make my birthday really special, it was reminding you that you’re the most important thing in the world to me, in front of family and friends,” Portia said to Ellen.

And Ellen had no idea it was happening! The event went down in their new home, which they only just moved into last week.

While the two renewed their vows to one another, they were surrounded by loved ones at a ton of celebrities, via People.

Find out who was in attendance at Ellen and Portia’s surprise vow renewal…

Portia de Rossi surprised Ellen DeGeneres with a vow renewal in front of all of their friends!

At Portia‘s birthday party, while Brandi Carlisle was singing, she snuck up behind Ellen while wearing the same Zac Posen wedding dress she wore during their original wedding on August 16, 2008.

Ellen looked absolutely shocked.

Keep reading to watch the video…More Here! »

Todrick Hall is speaking about the death of Stephen “tWitch” Boss.

He was only 40 years old when he died by suicide in December 2022.

Now Todrick, who was friends with tWitch, is speaking out about his death.

Keep reading to find out more…More Here! »

Anne Heche is shining a light on her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres in her new, unfinished memoir, “Call Me Anne”.

The book will be released next week on January 24, which comes six months after her tragic death from injuries sustained from a car crash.

In the excerpt, which was published by People, Anne opened up about her former relationship with Ellen, and why she chose to be with her.

Check out what she wrote inside…More Here! »