"American Idol" season-nine runner-up Crystal Bowersox reacts to Ellen DeGeneres' "Idol" departure and wishes the star well.

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'I respect her and her decision to leave,' the season-nine runner-up says of the talk show host's 'Idol' exit.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Crystal Bowersox
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

"American Idol" contender Crystal Bowersox responds to the news that funnywoman Ellen DeGeneres has left her gig as an "Idol" judge after one season. Bowersox, who scored the runner-up slot on the show's ninth season, took feedback from the talk show host during her brief stint on the Fox hit and wished the comedienne well in the wake of DeGeneres' recent departure.

"Ellen is an amazing and kind human being, and I respect her and her decision to leave 'American Idol'," Bowersox said in a statement to MTV News. "She brought a smile to the show and so much more, and I am very happy to have been a part of her time there. I wish nothing but the best for her, and also to 'American Idol'."

With DeGeneres gone from the show, speculation regarding how the judging panel will shape up for the next season of "Idol" has spiked. Reports have suggested that singer, dancer and actress Jennifer Lopez has been locked in as a new judge. When contacted by MTV News regarding whether J.Lo would take a seat on the judges' panel, a Fox representative had no comment.

The fate of the remaining "Idol" judges, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, has come under scrutiny as well. Songwriter DioGuardi has been reportedly ousted from her post and, according to TMZ, the show's producers are overhauling the entire panel and Jackson may be the only judge to survive the revamp.

Before Ellen's departure, the talent showcase had already been mulling replacements for longtime "Idol" critic Simon Cowell who announced earlier this year that he would be moving on after the star-making competition's ninth season. Several celebrities have been tossed around as possible replacements, including Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, country-pop diva Jessica Simpson and crooners Chris Isaak and Harry Connick Jr.

What do you think of Ellen DeGeneres leaving "American Idol" and who do you think would be a good replacement for her and Simon Cowell? Sound off in the comments below!

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