American Idol Judges: Then & Now

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Mariah Carey: Now

Now married to Nick Cannon and the mother of twins Moroccan and Monroe, Carey agreed to join Idol's judging panel in  September 2012. During season 12's audition tour, Carey famously butted heads with fellow newbie judge Nicki Minaj, getting into a foul-mouthed spat with the "Starships" singer on the road in North Carolina. Now, the duo are admittedly on better terms. "Time heals all wounds," Carey explains.

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Nicki Minaj: Then

Trinidadian-born Onika Tanya Maraj adopted her stage name Nicki Minaj and found her debut album Pink Friday certified Platinum one month after its 2010 release. Over the years, Minaj -- known for her outlandish lyrics and costumes -- has used five alter-egos in her songs: Roman Polanski, Nicki, Barbie, Martha and Rosa.

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Nicki Minaj: Now

Minaj -- who was also previously in talks to join The Voice -- was admittedly hesitant to take part in the reality TV juggernaut that is American Idol. "Sometimes you are afraid of being too famous because it's almost, like, is that even cool?" she told The Hollywood Reporter. "Being that accessible, someone you see on TV every week? I never pictured myself as that type of person. I'm still surprised that I decided to do it."

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Keith Urban: Then

Urban earned acclaim in his native Australia in the early '90s, releasing his self-titled debut album and four singles before moving to the United States in 1992. Signed to Capitol Records as part of the band he started called The Ranch, Urban released his U.S. debut disc in 1999. His breakout hit -- and first Grammy win -- came three years later thanks to the tune "Somebody Like You."

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Keith Urban: Now

Quitting the Australian version of The Voice to take part in Idol, Urban received a 2013 Golden Globe nomination for his song "For You," from Act of Valor. He and wife Nicole Kidman -- married since 2006 -- are the parents of two daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith.

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Randy Jackson: Then

From 1986 to 1987, he was a bass player for rock group Journey.

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Randy Jackson: Now

He remains one of the original judges since the show's 2002 debut (Paula Abdul quit in 2009; Simon Cowell left a year later). "This is a journey that me, Ryan, Paula and Simon started together and it's changing a bit," he's said.

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Jennifer Lopez: Then

One of In Living Color's original Fly Girl dancers, Lopez garnered critical acclaim for her role in 1997's biopic Selena. Two years later, Lopez released her debut album, On the 6, which included the hit singles "If You Had My Love" and "Waiting for Tonight."

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Jennifer Lopez: Now

Serving as a judge on Idol's 10th and 11th season, Lopez -- who's also mom to twins Max and Emme with ex-husband Marc Anthony -- says she'll always remember her roots. "No matter where I wake up...I'm just always right there in the Bronx," the singer, now dating Casper Smart, told Us. "I guess I'm always going to be Jenny From the Block!"

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Steven Tyler: Then

Aerosmith's frontman -- also dad to actress Liv Tyler -- earned his industry cred in the 70s Boston-based rock band. Struggling with a heavy drug and alcohol addiction, Tyler completed drug rehab in 1986 and, aside from a brief relapse in the late 2000s, has been sober ever since.

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Steven Tyler: Now

Taking part in Idol's 10th and 11th seasons, Tyler frequently offered constructive criticism, and flirted good-naturedly, with the contestants. "I'm really not one for giving insults," he told Us before his Idol stint began. "They have a voice and I don't want them not singing to their kids when they grow up."

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Ryan Seacrest: Then

After paying his dues as a local DJ in his hometown of Atlanta, Seacrest began his career in TV in 1994, hosting kids' game shows including Wild Animal Challenge and Gladiators 2000.

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Ryan Seacrest: Now

"Ryan has the appeal of a dog that has been rescued from the pound. That is his secret," Simon Cowell has said of Idol's host, who currently dates singer Julianne Hough. "He's grateful. He's happy. Always, always. If he had a tail, he'd wag it."