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Mariah Carey joining American Idol

"I am so excited to be joining Idol," says new talent judge Mariah Carey.

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Bye bye JLo, hello Mariah…

Mariah Carey has been confirmed as a judge on American Idol.

“I am so excited to be joining Idol,” said Carey, addressing the Television Critics Association via FOX entertainment chief Kevin Reilly’s phone, which he put on speakerphone for the hotel ballroom meeting.

“…this kind of all just happened really quickly,” Carey said in her brief remarks. “I can’t wait to get started in the fall … and I will see you in January.”

Her signing follows the exit of Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

Sources conflict on Carey’s salary, putting the number between $15 and $18 million. But Carey is likely taking home more than Lopez’ first year ($12 million) and second year ($15 million) salary on the show. Lopez, sources say, was holding out for $20 million to return.

“It’s the biggest recording artist than any of these [singing competition] shows have ever had,” FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly told critics at their press tour in Beverly Hills on Monday. “It’s an artist many contestants have tried to emulate, tried to hit the songs, hit the notes. [The deal] only concluded only hours ago.”

FOX is also yet to confirm the return of Randy Jackson but Reilly said, Jackson “has been working with Mariah and is in fact her co-manager, and Randy was very instrumental in doing this deal.”

Source: EW, Huffington Post

10 Responses

  4. This is great! Mariah is one of those singers that can actually sing unlike some of those other judges (J-Lo, Britney, Mel B). I hope Beyonce joins her on the judging panel 😀

  5. This is amazing news! Mariah has more credibility than any other TV judge on these talent shows. 200 million album sales, 18 #1 hits (more than any other solo artist) and the voice of a generation. She’s going to be incredible! This is gonna be a huge season of Idol! Simon Cowell just met his match 🙂

  7. They seem to really enjoy hiring celebrities on these talent shows these days, paying ridiculous amounts to hire them for one season (JLo, Britney, now Mariah). What they forgot was the show was working fine for seven years when it was just Randy, Paula and Simon Cowell, no real ‘big name’ judges there – in season one no one knew who they were but the chemistry between the judges was fantastic, and hence the show became a hit.

    Christina Aguilera was hired for The Voice (US) and she’s the worst thing about the show IMO – always fighting with Adam Levine for no reason and talking over the top of everyone. Let’s hope Mariah has what it takes

  8. I’ve never been a Mariah fan, but can’t deny that the lady can’t sing. It’ll be nice to have a female American Idol judge that can actually sing (as opposed to Paula and J Lo) and therefore has some cred, sitting in judgement of others. Mariah is never backward in coming forward with her opinions, so that should liven things up. I think she’ll make an excellent judge. Looking forward to season 12!

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