Kimberly Locke Wants Shot at IDOL Judging Gig

According to The Hollywood Reporter, AMERICAN IDOL contestant Kimberly Locke wants to be considered for one of the newly vacated judging seats on the upcoming season of the singing competition. The Season 2 finalist told the Associated Press yesterday, "I would love to sit in that chair and, you know, give some advice from the contestant's standpoint because I've been on that stage and I know what it's like." 

While Locke said she would offer contestants gentle words of wisdom based on her own experiences, she would also not hestitate to tell them the truth about their performances, noting that her critiques would be delivered "with no fluff." "I'm not quite as nice as Paula (Abdul)," she explained. "Paula's super, super nice but I don't think I'm quite as mean as Simon (Cowell) either."

Locke was the third place finisher behind Season 2's Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. She is one of a growing list of celebrities who have expressed interest in joining the FOX talent competition, including the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin and fellow IDOL alum Adam Lambert.

Last week FOX announced that Mariah Carey would join the show as a judge. Nick Jonas has also been rumored to be in talks with Idol producers.