Philip Phillips on new AI judges: It’s gonna be interesting

“American Idol” season 11 finalists are excited to see what the new judges joining veteran judge Randy Jackson could bring to the 12-year-old reality talent show next year.

As previously reported, country singer Keith Urban, R&B star Nicki Minaj, and multi-platinum artist Mariah Carey will replace Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler in the judging panel of “Idol’s” 12th season, which will air January 2013.

“It’s gonna be interesting. It’ll be a whole new crowd besides Randy, so there’s gonna be a lot of different opinions going around,” 'Idol' season 11 winner Philip Phillips told the entertainment media during the press conference for the Manila leg of their concert tour recently.

If he were to audition for the show’s latest season, who among the new judges would Philip be scared of? The “Home” singer answered, “I would be scared (of) every single one of them like I was this year.”

“It’s gonna be the same thing. I’d be scared either way.”

“Idol” season 11 fifth placer Skylar Laine is particularly interested in Urban. With him on the panel, country music will finally have a representative on the show  known for making Carrie Underwood a country superstar.

“I know that I’m excited for Keith Urban to be a judge because finally there’s a country judge on the panel,” she said.

Skylar added, “I think it’s a really great panel of judges. They got Nicki Minaj, who would be great for R & B. Mariah is a phenomenal, multi-platinum artist and has been around for years. She knows exactly what she’s talking about. I’m really excited to see what will happen this year.”