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American Idol Ending After 15 Seasons: Ryan Seacrest, Jordin Sparks, Adam Lambert, and More Celebrities React

Ryan Seacrest, Jordin Sparks
merican Idol alums and celebrities like Ryan Seacrest, Jordin Sparks, Adam Lambert, and more reacted to the news of the series finally ending after its upcoming 15th season -- read their reactions here.

Time to Breakaway from American Idol! Ryan Seacrest, Jordin Sparks, and more celebrities and alums reacted to the cancellation news of the beloved FOX reality competition series, which is ending its run after the upcoming season 15.

Seacrest, 40, confirmed on Monday, May 11, that Idol was indeed ending its run, and the longtime host got very wistful and nostalgic with his 13.5 million fans on Twitter.

Related: PHOTOS: Most shocking Idol eliminations ever

Season eight winner Allen also spoke to Billboard on Monday about the ending of the show. "Idol was groundbreaking television. I am very fortunate to have won the show at the time," he told the mag. "Idol changed my life and I am thankful. Looking forward to an entertaining final season."

Related: PHOTOS: Kelly Clarkson through the years

Season eight fan favorite Adam Lambert, who was the runner-up (to winner Kris Allen) back in 2009, told Billboard on Monday that Idol launched his career. "They had a great run," he told Billboard. "And thank you, Idol, because I wouldn’t be here without you."

Season 2's Kimberly Caldwell (7th place) reflected back on her stint many years ago. "It has been a good long run and I am so proud to have my name attached to this show…this machine! Idol gave hope to so many artists that just needed a chance and worked as a stepping stone for so many of us," she gushed to Billboard. "I could never put into words the gratitude I feel for being an Idol kid."

Jordin Sparks, 25, the youngest person to ever win Idol at age 17 back in 2007, opened up to Meredith Vieira on Monday about the show's cancellation. "It's definitely bittersweet, the show really gave me my start. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now if it hadn’t been for that show," the "Tattoo" singer shared. "For me, I love that it gave every day people a chance to live out their dreams. I am all for that so I’m sad to see that go because it’s the end of an era. What are we going to watch now?"

Related: PHOTOS: Idol babies and weddings!

Nigel Lythgoe, the former executive producer of Idol who was fired in June 2013, reflected back on his six years with the program on the Meredith Vieira Show on Monday.

"We got at one point I think 140 million telephone calls and Ruben Studdard in truth with the amount of phone calls he got should have been your next President. Really, it was that incredible," he reflected. "We literally outshined the other 4 networks in ratings every week so I am rather pleased that they decided to pull it season 15. It’s a bit like a heavyweight boxer at some point the young ones come up and start knocking you out and you tend to lose your legacy of how brilliant you were. I think this was possibly the biggest television show, the most impactful television show ever."

Producers confirmed the news to Us Weekly on Monday morning. "American Idol will begin its 15th — and final — season this January on FOX," the network wrote in its release. "A season-long celebratory event, American Idol XV will feature host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick, Jr., as they search for the final Idol superstar and pay tribute to the past 14 seasons of amazingly talented contestants and the millions of fans who tweeted, texted and championed their Idols."

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