‘American Idol’ Family Reacts To Cancellation

“American Idol” has given us some of the biggest names in music and they’re weighing in on the news that the show will end after Season 15.

Here’s what some of the winners, contestants and hosts had to say about Fox canceling the one-time ratings juggernaut:

I knew American Idol would never last without me #CANCELLED

— brian dunkleman (@briandunkleman) May 11, 2015

yes next year will be our final season of @AmericanIdol 🙁 this show’s been a big part of my life for so long… hard to imagine it w/out it

— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) May 11, 2015

I love @AmericanIdol! It will be sorely missed! But I gotta say, I can’t wait to see what Season 15 is like! https://t.co/GREmzieJsP

— Melinda Doolittle (@mdoolittle) May 11, 2015

Some former contestants spoke to Billboard about the news.

PHOTOS: ‘Amerian Idol’: The Winners

“They had a great run. And thank you, ‘Idol,’ because I wouldn’t be here without you,” Adam Lambert, Season 8 runner-up, told the mag.

Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery told Billboard that he owes his career to the Fox series.

“‘American Idol’ changed my life. It was a great way for me to pursue my dreams of being a country music singer and introduce myself to the nation. I am so thankful to the show, the producers, the judges, and the audience for everything they did for me,” he said. “‘American Idol’ has been a dominant force in our pop culture for almost a decade and a half, but all good things must come to an end. I wish everyone involved with the show my best and know they will all continue to do great things.”

WATCH: Jennifer Lopez & Harry Connick Jr.: Why Fans Love ‘American Idol’

“Idol” Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken also spoke out on Monday in a statement.

“For 14 years, Idol given countless young men and women the opportunity to make their dreams come true, and more importantly, allowed every American watching to be a part of those journeys. There is no former contestant from ‘American Idol’ who could claim that they would be where they are today without the power, the reach and the lessons imparted upon them by that show,” Clay said in a statement. “Always far more than just “water cooler talk”, Idol has provided the country with a venue to come together and celebrate the American Dream. During my season, in 2003, as the nation entered a war, Idol provided an opportunity for the entire nation to gather together and celebrate something positive. As it reaches its final season, I hope that Americans take a chance to celebrate its historic place in American culture and look back on the years of fun and hope it provided.”

Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks and former “Idol” Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe, who appeared on Monday’s “Meredith Vieira Show,” weighed in on the show ending.

“It’s definitely bittersweet, the show really gave me my start. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now if it hadn’t been for that show. For me, I love that it gave every day people a chance to live out their dreams. I am all for that so I’m sad to see that go because it’s the end of an era. What are we going to watch now?” Jordin said on Monday’s show.

Nigel looked back fondly on the show’s early massive success.

READ: ‘American Idol’ To End After Season 15

“We got at one point I think 140 million telephone calls and Ruben Studdard, in truth, with the amount of phone calls he got should have been your next President. Really, it was that incredible. We literally outshined the other 4 networks in ratings every week so I am rather pleased that they decided to pull it Season 15,” he said. “It’s a bit like a heavyweight boxer at some point the young ones come up and start knocking you out and you tend to lose your legacy of how brilliant you were. I think this was possibly the biggest television show, the most impactful television show ever.”

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban – along with host Ryan Seacrest – will appear on the show’s final season, which will debut in January on Fox.

— Jesse Spero