Randy Jackson, the last original American Idol judge announced Thursday that he's leaving the show after a 12-year tenure.

Along with Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul, the musician and producer was one of three judges when Fox first aired the show back in 2002.

Fox reported that Idol host Ryan Seacrest foreshadowed Jackson's announcement at the beginning of Thursday's elimination episode.

"A little later on, we'll be revealing who's leaving our show," Seacrest joked as he turned Jackson around in his chair facing him. "Maybe a head's up?

The singing competition ratings have decreased in the recent years, as the show's executives tried to bring on several new and popular judges, including Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.

Jackson released a statement that said he made the choice to leave the show to focus on his record label and other business opportunities.

"To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol, I have decided to leave after this season," Jackson said. "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry."

"It's been a life-changing opportunity, but I am looking forward to focusing on my company, Dream Merchant 21, and other business ventures," Jackson said.

Fox sources also confirmed that Mariah Carey is getting fired.

"Yes, we want to do a whole new panel-but, just like last time around, it depends on who we get," the source said.

The source indicated that there will "definitely be no Mariah," while decisions on Minaj and country singer Keith Urban have yet to be made.

"The others, it depends who we get [to take their place]" the source said.

Enstars reported earlier that Carey's husband Nick Cannon is no fan of his wife on the show and said that producers were supporting the feud between her and Minaj.

"When you see someone like my wife, who tries to remain classy and tries to take the high road, it feels like everybody else around it - including the network and the producers - feed into this whole sound bite drama. It feels like it lacks substance," he said on The Talk.