Q&A: Host and judges of ‘American Idol XIII’

Tuesday night found the seats of Royce Hall filled with fans of the popular TV show “American Idol XIII” for its premiere episode. Following the showing was a Q&A panel with host Ryan Seacrest and judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and new addition Harry Connick Jr. The panel answered questions from Seacrest and fans on Facebook and Twitter as well as via satellite in locations around the country that were also premiering the episode before it airs Wednesday night. The “American Idol” judges spoke about their anticipations for the new season and looked back at the audition phase of the show.

Ryan Seacrest: What would you say, to start this lucky Season 13, we are looking for in the next “American Idol”?

Jennifer Lopez: I think what we’re always looking for is just somebody who has … the full package, who can come in and touch your heart with their singing and just reaches into the hearts of America. I mean that’s what is (going to) win at the end of the day.

RS: Keith, what stands out when you think about all the cities that we’ve been to and you look at what we’ve done and who we’ve brought back? What is most memorable to you?

Keith Urban: It sounds so simple, but I think the level of talent. The level of just natural, raw talent. And to me, what I’ve always loved about “(American) Idol” is watching someone who comes from some town that we’ve never heard of or some small, little place, and they have this amazing gift but they don’t have anything else yet. They have it, but they haven’t got all the rest yet. And this journey allows them to get all of that, and we watch them blossom right before our eyes.

Twitter (@tay_z_5144): Who is the hardest judge to impress this year?

Harry Connick Jr.: People come up to me all the time and they say, “Are you okay? Are you angry?” I have like an intense face, all the time. … Let me just go out and say it. I think we have a pretty low standard right now. And yes, I am hard to impress, because I think we can do better. There’s amazing talent out there; I’m sitting up here with some of them, but we can do better than what’s out there. … Honestly I am a little hard to impress, but it’s just a challenge to these young performers to work at your freaking craft. Work at it. Practice.

Twitter (@SavannahGrace): Do you ever get attached to the contestants, and is it hard for you to see them go?

RS: It is, because you’re standing up there next to them and you can feel them shaking. You know their hearts are beating. Sometimes, right before the result is read on the air, they’re totally silent, sometimes they’re talking to each other. And I look down on that card and for a split second, it’s in my head, I know which one is (going to) go and that’s tough sometimes. But it’s a part of the process and I think that we all feel that way, especially when you get attached to the contestants toward the end.

Compiled by Brendan Hornbostel, A&E senior staff.