Voted out of marriage. Former American Idol judge Randy Jackson is reportedly splitting up with his wife Erika after 18 years of marriage. TMZ reported Friday, Sept. 26, that Erika filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
According to the site, Jackson's wife is requesting full custody of their 17-year-old son Jordan, as well as spousal support. Erika also requested he pay her legal fees.
Randy and Erika (formerly Riker) married in 1995. The two are parents to daughter Zoe, 19, and son Jordan. Randy is also dad to his daughter Taylor, whom he shares with his first wife Elizabeth.
Us Weekly caught up with Jackson this past Sunday, Sept. 21, at the 8th Annual Clinton Global Citizen Awards in NYC, where he shared the advice he would give to his younger self. "Be passionate about everything you do," he said. "And really learn in life to want what you need. I think we all want a lot of things, but it always comes down to what do we actually need? I’m trying to get better in wanting what I need. Because the need will help me get through the want just as another fulfillment."
The Grammy-winning producer's sudden split comes several weeks after he sold his estate in Tarzana, Calif., for $1.9 million. Jackson is best known for sitting on the judges' panel of American Idol for 12 consecutive seasons. In 2013, he announced he was leaving the competition series. He later revealed he was going to return in January as a mentor instead.
