With news breaking just a little while ago that Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will be joining Katy Perry on the judging panel when American Idol returns to primetime in January, let's take a look back at the plenty of New Jersey links in the show's history.

Here's a countdown of Idol's top Jersey connections:

 

 

  • Justin Louis & Adam Lambert in the studio - Townsquare Media
    Justin Louis & Adam Lambert in the studio - Townsquare Media
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    5

    Adam Lambert Hung Out With Us

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    4

    Howell Teen's Mother Makes Quite An Impression

  • YouTube (American Idol - Fox TV)
    YouTube (American Idol - Fox TV)
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    3

    A Beachwood Singer Hits Hollywood

  • Gianna Isabella from Jackson sings during the first week of competition on American Idol (Fox via YouTube)
    Gianna Isabella from Jackson sings during the first week of competition on American Idol (Fox via YouTube)
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    2

    A Jackson Teen Cracks The Top 10

  • Jax on stage during her welcome home concert in East Brunswick (American Idol)
    Jax on stage during her welcome home concert in East Brunswick (American Idol)
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    1

    A Jersey Girl Almost Wins It All

    The most successful contestant yet from New Jersey has been East Brunswick's mononymous Jax.

    Sailing past literally thousands of other Idol hopefuls, week after week Jax dispatched the competition and brought her talents just about to the end, making it to the top 3.


    So what's next?

    As American Idol waits in the wings to make a triumphant comeback on ABC in only a few months (yes, January is only a little more than 3 months away!), we won't have to wait long to see who will be the next singer to bring Jersey to the forefront!

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