Jordin Sparks has backed Nicki Minaj to become a new judge on American Idol.

The ‘Sparkle’ star, who won the US talent show back in 2007, told Page Six that she thinks the 'Super Bass' singer would be a valuable asset to the new series:

“It would be so fun to see what she does because she's so unpredictable. I met her the other day, and she is so sweet.”

Mariah Carey is the only confirmed judge for the 2013 season so far with Nick Jonas, Kanye West and P. Diddy also rumoured to be in the frame. But country star Keith Urban is another of Sparks’ favourites to join the judging panel, as she added:

"I think it would be cool to bring somebody with a country flair who has that experience."