american idol

Mariah Carey has officially joined ‘American Idol‘ as a judge for Season 12, which kicks off in 2013. Congrats not only to Carey but to Fox on this major, major coup. While it seemed that producers had a challenge on their hands in trying to find a suitable A-list replacement for the departing Jennifer Lopez, they outdiva-ed the diva with this addition.

Money talks, and while Mariah Carey hasn’t commented on the ‘American Idol‘ rumors, her doting hubby sure has. Nick Cannon flat out said that Mimi doesn’t come for cheap.

Now that Steven Tyler has officially bailed on ‘American Idol‘ and it’s looking more and more like Jennifer Lopez will follow suit, that’s two Chairs of Judgment that need to be filled. Or is it three? Sources close to the show say Randy Jackson, the only original ‘Idol’ panelist left, is packing up his iffy fashion sense and hitting the door, too.

Jennifer Lopez is excited to hit the road with Enrique Iglesias (and beau Casper Smart!), but there’s one caveat: will it be too much to tour and keep her stint as an ‘American Idol‘ judge?

Rihanna will be on hand to crown the ‘American Idol‘ victor this year. The Bajan beauty is slated to perform on the May 23 finale at 8PM ET.