'American Idol' finalists share what the judges are really like

• Several "American Idol" finalists told Insider what they thought of the show's celebrity judges.
• According to the singers, Ellen DeGeneres was kind and Harry Connick Jr. wasn't shy about criticism.

Since "American Idol" aired its first episode in 2002, a variety of stars have held a place on the judging panel, including celebrities like Simon Cowell, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry.

Speaking to Insider for the Fox-ABC show's 20th year on television, several past contestants opened up about what the judges were really like on and off camera.

According to one runner-up, Lopez was 'drop-dead gorgeous' in person

During her five-season run as a judge on "Idol," Lopez earned a reputation for sharing her expertise as a successful musician alongside Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler.

Season-11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez said she "loved" Jackson and Tyler but was especially excited to meet Lopez for the first time.

"She's freaking drop-dead gorgeous, talented, her work ethic is crazy," Sanchez said.

Although Sanchez said the "Idol" judges can be too busy "working" and "grinding" to form connections with contestants, she said Lopez went out of her way to bring Sanchez back as a backup vocalist on a later season.

"Even away from the cameras and stuff like that after the show, she was just so sweet," Sanchez said.

One singer appreciated how 'constructive' Harry Connick Jr. was

Connick Jr. joined the judging panel from seasons 13 through 15 and quickly became known for his honesty and humor.

Season-13 runner-up Jena Irene Asciutto said she often took what the judges said "with a grain of salt" because she focused on her vocal coaches' critiques behind the scenes.

However, of all the judges on her season, Asciutto said she always enjoyed hearing Connick Jr.'s take on her performance.

"Even though it wasn't always something that I wanted to hear, it was constructive," Asciutto said.

Asciutto said that commentary from Connick Jr. and his fellow judges hit even harder when she was in the bottom three.

"I thought, 'Oh shit,'" Asciutto told Insider. "'I gotta take what they say a little bit heavier, in order to see what they're looking for in the next performance.'"

One finalist said Lionel Richie was a 'walking legend'

After "Idol" became a part of the ABC network in 2018, Richie joined the judging panel and has held his spot on the show since.

Season-seven winner David Cook said Richie gave him a great piece of advice: If you're nervous, "that just means you're about to do something great."

Season-16 runner-up Caleb Lee Hutchinson also praised the famous musician as "a walking legend" who "exists on a plane of existence that we just don't understand as normal people."

The "Idol" finalist also said conversations with the judge could sometimes take unpredictable turns.

"He doesn't go, 'Hey, how you doing?'" Hutchinson told Insider. "He'll just walk up and start talking — 'The year was 1976, Michael Jackson wanted a cookie' — and he just goes into this whole story."

Hutchinson said that all of the judges from his season, including Luke Bryan and Perry, left a great impression on him.

"We don't do brunch or anything, but I have nothing but good things to say," Hutchinson said.

Contestants say that Jackson is exactly who fans expect

After kicking off season one alongside Cowell and Paula Abdul, Jackson held his spot on the show for 12 seasons, making him the longest-running judge in "Idol" history.

Some singers said Jackson often lent his expertise as a record producer and discussed how to break into the industry.

"Randy, he's just always full of energy," Asciutto told Insider, adding that the judge was constantly offering encouragement by saying, "You're in it to win it."

According to season-nine runner-up Crystal Bowersox, Jackson always carried himself with authenticity.

"Randy is who he says he is and I absolutely adored him," Bowersox said. "I admire him a lot."

Despite his reputation for being harsh, Cowell is a 'favorite judge' for one singer

Throughout his eight-year role as a judge on "American Idol," Cowell gained a reputation for his harsh feedback. But some for singers, that only made him more likable.

"Oh, I adore him," said season-six finalist Melinda Doolittle. "I might've had a slight crush."

Doolittle said she thought Cowell criticized the singers because he knew they could push themselves to do better, which is why he was her "favorite judge."

"You realize at the end of the day that he was basically getting upset with us because he knew we were better than what we were portraying on television," Doolittle said.

Bowersox said that some contestants "cowered when it came to Simon" but she wasn't afraid of him.

"I had a lot of respect for Simon because he was somebody who spoke his mind, spoke his truth," Bowersox said. "Just said it like it was, he never sugarcoated anything. And I really do admire that in people, even if sometimes it's not what we want to hear."

According to one finalist, Ellen DeGeneres was 'very kind'

DeGeneres held a place on the judging panel on season nine, temporarily replacing Abdul.

Bowersox said she remembers DeGeneres being "very kind" when she was a guest judge on the show back in 2010.

"She really didn't want to be rude to anyone," Bowersox told Insider. "She always had a kind thing to say, which I appreciated."