Former 'American Idol' Judge Ellen DeGeneres Is The Latest To Publicly Lament Taking The Job; 'One Of The Worst Decisions'

As “American Idol” gears up for its final season, one of the judges that was formerly attached to the show is talking about her not-so-fond memories working on the Fox singing competition. Daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres recently spoke out about her season-long run on the show and revealed that it’s a big regret in her life.

According to Vulture, the 57-year-old comedian appeared on Howard Stern’s show on Tuesday to discuss her talk show, Caitlyn Jenner and her brief stint as a judge on “American Idol.”

“That’s one of the worst decisions I’ve made,” DeGeneres told the host.

After original host Paula Abdul left the show in Season 9, DeGeneres joined hosts Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi. Despite having no real singing talent or industry knowledge, fans seemed to respond well to her addition to the panel. However, DeGeneres thought that her biggest asset to the judges’ table would be the fact that she’s a fan of the show like the rest of America. Unfortunately, she says that was her mistake.

“As a fan of the shows, it doesn’t matter that I sing or I know anything about pitch or anything, I’m like everybody else at home. It’s ‘American Idol,’” she continued to Stern. “So I thought: I’m going to represent those people at home that have opinions. But then I just thought… I can’t break this person’s heart. Let somebody else do that.”

As the Wrap notes, DeGeneres isn’t the first former “American Idol” judge to say that accepting the position was a mistake for her career. When speaking to an Australian radio show in May, Mariah Carey was asked if she’d return to the show for its final season if the producers wanted her. The “Infinity” singer immediately shot the idea down.

“Hell no! Absolutely not. That was the worst experience of my life,” she said. “I don’t think they had any intentions for us to have a good experience during that show.”

The singer went on to address her very public feud with fellow former "American Idol" judge Nicki Minaj, saying: “Pitting two females against each other wasn’t cool. It should’ve been about the contestants instead of some nonexistent feud that turned into even more ridiculousness.”

The 15th and final season of “American Idol” will premiere on Fox in January 2016.