Say hello to your new ‘Idol’ judge …

Mariah Carey is just full of announcements lately.

The 43-year-old singer and mom of twins recently revealed on Twitter that she has a new song, called “Triumphant,” set to arrive in early August, and she’s also confirmed that she’ll be a new judge on “American Idol.”


“It’s gonna be so much fun working on @AmericanIdol,” Carey posted Monday afternoon. “As a singer-songwriter, I’m excited to help find and nurture new talent.”

In a statement confirming Carey’s new gig, Fox’s President of Alternative Entertainment, Mike Darnell, called Carey “the real deal,” while “Idol” executive producer and creator Simon Fuller added how “proud” they are “to have one of the world’s greatest-ever female singers join our show. Mariah defines the word ‘Idol’ and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her.”

Carey’s new role as an “Idol” judge has been widely speculated for weeks, to the point that her husband Nick Cannon even joked that the Fox series may not be able to afford her. “That’s a lot of money,” Cannon kidded with TMZ. “If they gave J. Lo $20 million, they might have to double that!” We’re sure the rumors on Carey’s payday will start flying any minute now.

Carey will join Randy Jackson, the one “Idol” judge remaining (for now, at least), at the judges’ table in January 2013. Earlier this month, both Lopez and Steven Tyler announced they were departing the show.

Source: CNN's Marquee Blog

Jennifer Lopez departs ‘Idol’: ‘The time has come’

After weeks of speculation — and some heavy hinting on “Today” Thursday — Jennifer Lopez confirmed on Friday that she’s leaving “American Idol.”

The 42-year-old actress/singer and mom to 4-year-old twins Max and Emme told “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest on his radio show that she had to take something off her plate, and it looks like that thing is “American Idol.”


“I honestly feel like the time has come, that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do that I’ve put kind of on hold because I love ‘Idol’ so much,” she explained. “I could just keep doing ‘Idol’ for the rest of my life, but that would be giving up a bunch of other things. I feel like we had an amazing run.”

Lopez, who has served as an “Idol” judge for two seasons, reiterated how difficult a choice this was for her. “It’s been a long thought process … I really have been torn,” she told Seacrest, adding later, “It’s really going to be hard for me to go.”

“I have my movies and music and my this and that … and it just gets more complicated, as the kids get a little bigger. It started feeling like it was a lot, and something had to give. And that’s, I think, where I am right now.”

Just yesterday, Lopez’s fellow “Idol” judge Steven Tyler announced that he was leaving the show to focus on his music.

“After some long…hard…thoughts…I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit,” Tyler said in a statement from Fox. “I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band.”

The one judge left standing — Randy Jackson — is rumored to be on his way out as well, while Mariah Carey and Adam Lambert are among those rumored to be in the running to step in as new judges on the Fox show.

Source: CNN, The Marquee Blog

Steven Tyler leaving ‘American Idol’

Steven Tyler has announced he’s leaving “American Idol.”

Tyler, who joined the show in its 10th season, sat at the judges table alongside Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez for two seasons. (And rumors are swirling that Jackson and Lopez may be looking to leave “Idol,” as well.)

“After some long…hard…thoughts…I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit,” Tyler said in a statement from Fox. “I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back — but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band.

Aerosmith’s 15th studio album, “Music From Another Dimension,” is due out on November 6.

“‘Idol’ was over-the-top fun,” Tyler said, and I loved every minute of it…Now it’s time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD.”

Source: CNN, "The Marquee Blog"