"American Idol" may be going through a transition period for season 13, but the new creative team behind it took the time for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter to talk about 2013, Adam Lambert, and the judges panel.

"I think the show has heart on a very real, organic level. It doesn't feel like it's for the sake of the cameras," says Jesse Ignjatovic, the latest executive producer of "American Idol" along with his partner Evan Prager.

"It still seems that it's about the contestants and that journey of being plucked out of a small town and becoming a superstar by the end. That still resonates."

Despite the popularity of "American Idol," recent talks have been nothing but negative. With so many judges leaving the show consecutively as the show prepares for its 13th season, Ignjatovic and Prager emphasize that they have to be careful with their changes to the show.

"It's still such a strong viable format--it's the original. It's more about playing your position and knowing your role. Maybe some areas can be reinvented or reimagined, but the show works," continues Ignjatovic.

"Everyone [who works on 'American Idol']  loves and believes in this show. A lot of people have been here since day one. There's no question that it's about making sure the best product is getting out there and that [means having] the best contestants. They are the stars of the show and that's very much a unified effort here," agrees Prager.

But what about the issues with the judges panel? Currently, no names have been officially confirmed, but names like Jennifer Lopez, will.i.am, as well as former "American Idol" contestants Jennifer Hudson and Adam Lambert have all been dropped.

So far, Ignjatovic and Prager seem reluctant to expand, but welcome names like Adam Lambert to come back to the show in some way regardless.

"We all know having watched the show that he is really beloved. As far as him being considered as a judge, you've heard just as many names thrown out there as we have, but I think that he is obviously a big part of the show and getting him on there is always great."