Nicki Minaj Leaves American Idol

Rapper Nicki Minaj followed Mariah Carey's lead on Thursday afternoon, announcing via Twitter, "Thank you American Idol for a life changing experience! Wouldn't trade it for the world! Time to focus on the Music!!! Mmmuuuaahhh!!!"

Randy Jackson had previously announced his exit from the show, leaving only Keith Urban who has yet to confirm whether he'll be participating in season 13 of the Fox show. 

The series just wrapped its 12th year on May 16, but by season's end, there didn't seem to be much left to celebrate. The season closer, during which Candice Glover and Kree Harrison faced off for the crown (Glover won), was down more than 40 percent in viewers from the previous year and was the show's lowest rated finale ever.

A little over a week later, Fox president of alternative programming Mike Darnell announced that he was leaving the company.

Mariah Carey is leaving American Idol

Our friends at THR tell us The singer made it official on Thursday afternoon with a tweet that read, "W/ global success of “#Beautiful” (#1 in 30+ countries so far) @MariahCarey confirms world tour & says goodbye 2 Idol." The message was promptly re-tweeted by Carey's longtime PR firm, PMK-BNC.

Asked for further comment, a representative for the singer points to a "jam-packed" scheduled that includes, "putting the finishing touches on her much anticipated forthcoming album, headlining the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular and appearing in Lee Daniel's The Butler, opening in August." The film's cast also includes Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker, Vanessa Redgrave, Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Lenny Kravitz.

Carey will also embark on a world tour that kicks off this October in Asia.

The singer's exit from the Fox show had been much speculated. No further announcements have been made regarding Idol's future judging panel, although alum Jennifer Hudson is said to be negotiating for a seat at the season 13 table.

A statement released by production partners Fox and FremantleMedia reads, “Mariah Carey is a true global icon -- one of the most accomplished artists on the planet - and we feel extremely fortunate that she was able to bring her wisdom and experience to the American Idol contestants this season. We know she will remain an inspiration to Idol hopefuls for many seasons to come.”