Joe Jonas, Avril Lavigne, Katy Perry, Shania Twain, Neil Patrick Harris, and Victoria Beckham (pictured above) have all taken a turn as the fourth judge during the auditions for the ninth season of American Idol... but the permanent fourth judge has just been announced.
Joining Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi at the judges' table all season long will be.... drumroll please... Ellen DeGeneres!
The funnywoman will join the new team (Paula Abdul is no longer part of the judges' panel) when the new season debuts in January 2010.
Ellen's reaction? "I'm thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol," she said. "I've watched since the beginning, and I've always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I'll save from not having to text in my vote."
Ha! Said true Ellen style!
What do you think about the addition of Ellen to the American Idol judge's panel?
Photos: Courtesy of Fox
