Keith Urban has indeed left The Voice Australia for another reality-based singing competition, but this time the Aussie country bloke is rendering his judging skills for the American audience.

Meanwhile, Randy Jackson stays on American Idol and three new judges will join him for Season 12.

TMZ reported the decision to keep Jackson on the show developed after talks with Enrique Iglesias proved unsuccessful.

Urban will be joined by Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj next season.

While Carey and Minaj have been expected on the show, Urban was a truly fresh addition to the Fox show.

Urban's entry to American Idol was only a rumour last week, when news broke that he was leaving The Voice Australia.

In a tribute to Urban, Karl Quinn of the Sydney Morning Herald wrote:

"We didn't really know Keith before, but on The Voice we quickly discovered we liked him. Not cold like Delta, not slick like Seal, not ADHD like Joel. Just a regular Aussie-American bloke."

In an official statement released by Australia's Channel Nine, Urban cited "other commitments" as one of the reasons for his departure from the Aussie reality show.

Urban's official statement reads:

"I've been so fortunate to have been a part of The Voice... And as much as I'd love to do it again, it's clear that the recording and promoting of a new album, a tour and other commitments, will keep me from being a part of the second season."

The new set of American Idol judges was publicly announced by the show's host since Season 1, Ryan Seacrest. He tweeted: "It's official, your new #IdolJudges are @MariahCarey, @NickiMinaj, @KeithUrban & @Yo_RandyJackson!"

Seacrest and Jackson are now officially AI legends for having stayed in the show since the beginning. 

To contact the editor, e-mail: