All of the Talent Show Judges We Wish Would Make a Comeback
Fox Reading Time: 3 minutes
Shows like The Voice bring in A -list talent to judge the shows. Our talent show judges are the backbone for competition shows. The judges’ banter, wit, and expertise are all highlighted throughout a season. Executives scramble year after year offering big money to get the best. Some of the judges become legends on their shows, staying for multiple seasons. Others not so much.
Randy Jackson & Paula Abdul
There is no other way to kickoff our list than to start with two originals. Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul helped usher in the cultural reset of talent shows. When American Idol premiered in 2002 fans did not know what to expect. Still, the Season 1 finale brought in close to 23 million viewers. The audience loved Jackson and Abdul’s relationship with fellow Idol judge Simon Cowell. Even their not so nice moments had great chemistry. Jackson stayed on the hit show through many revamps for 13 seasons. Abdul stayed for seven. Both have gone into new era’s of their careers. Abdul has launched new music and a Las Vegas residency. She has also judged other talent shows and returned to American Idol during Season 19. Jackson has managed multiple music artists and has continued to tour.
Mariah Carey
Make no mistake, Mariah Carey is the most successful judge to ever appear on a talent show competition. The singer, songwriter, and producer received a massive payday for her one and only season on American Idol, to the tune of $18 million. Carey’s time on Season 12 of American Idol was surrounded in controversy as she feuded with fellow Idol judge Nicki Minaj on multiple occasions. The “We Belong Together” singer continued to offer her expertise throughout the show while bringing the glitz and glamor that a diva would bring.
Miley Cyrus
It made sense for Miley Cyrus to join Season 11 of The Voice. Cyrus has one of the most powerful voices in today’s music. Although the singer’s vocal skills are often underestimated, Cyrus shined during her two seasons on the hit singing competition. The singer was able to bring in the youth appeal during her seasons. Cyrus was also a great opposite from some of the pop divas that have been a judge on talent shows.
Pharrell
The hit producer has an ear for great talent. Although our favorite talent shows are doing their best to bring in big names, they have to keep in mind that the judges that they do bring in have to be able to speak in a way that helps guide contestants and pushes them to do better. Pharrell has been featured in hundreds of songs and has had chart success since the 90s. On The Voice he brought in his eclectic style and was able to help pick out artists who otherwise may have no passed the blind auditions.
Adam Levine
The king of cool. Adam Levine helped launch The Voice when it was a brand new singing competition. Levine’s laid back style was refreshing to watch as he mentored aspiring singers. His bromance with Blake Shelton was always a highlight on the show. The singer has sold over 100 million albums with his group Maroon 5 and has won countless awards. Levine on The Voice was a perfect match.
Alicia Keys
The 15 time Grammy Award winner was the type of judge that brought her musicality to The Voice when she joined on Season 11. Keys was a passionate performer whose career has her as being the most certified female R&B artists of the millennium. The “Girl on Fire” singer brought R&B in focus. Keys’s second season introduced viewers to Season 12 The Voice champion Chris Blue.
