Randy Jackson Says ‘American Idol’ Was the ‘Best Time in My Life’
Photo by: Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal Reading Time: 2 minutes
Randy Jackson was a guest on Sherri Shepherd’s talk show this week, and the pair got to talking about Jackson’s time as a judge on American Idol. Jackson had nothing but good things to say about his experience.
Randy Jackson Reflects on American Idol Experience
“It was the best time in my life,” Jackson said of his stint as a judge. “Me, Simon, Ryan, Paula — we became best of friends. We discovered a lot of talent. I see Carrie, I see Fantasia, I see Ruben … Kelly. And I’m like, ‘Yo, we did something good for the world, y’all.'”
Shepherd said that “nobody has been able to duplicate that at all.” Jackson said he thinks that is “because Simon and I were both music executives at the time.” He said they “made a pact” that someone would “win and represent us.”
Shepherd pointed out that American Idol Season 2 finalist Trenyce sings her show’s theme song. She said Jackson was “such a mentor to her,” telling her, “Don’t be afraid to be you on stage.”
Jackson said that mentoring younger talent “means everything for me,” adding, “A lot of people did it for me, so I’m just paying it forward … A lot of people pulled me to the side and helped me, gave me words of wisdom.”
SEE ALSO: RANDY JACKSON REMEMBERS ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ BOYS’ WEEKEND IN LAS VEGAS
Jackson Gives Advice About Being Yourself
Jackson also gave some great life advice that can apply to anyone. Shepherd asked him to elaborate on his suggestion to “not be afraid to be you.” He shared that the trick is to first “accept who you are, and be that.”
“That’s all you can be, and that’s your God-given thing through life. Know who you are, and accept it,” Jackson said. “You know what you like. You know what foods you like, you know the kind of men…”
That’s when Shepherd cut in to say, “I don’t know what kind of men I like. I’ve been divorced twice. I ain’t got there yet.”
You can watch Randy Jackson as the band leader on Celebrity Name That Tune, Tuesday nights on FOX.
