Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban Close To Signing With American Idol?

By On 08/24/2012 · 141 Comments · In American Idol

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Capping off a week of American Idol next judge rumors gone mad, The Hollywood Reporter claims Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are close to signing deals to become next season’s American Idol judges with Mariah Carey.

The Hollywood Reporter reports Idol sponsor Coke’s issues with Nicki Minaj’s Pepsi sponsorship have been worked out, and Minaj is close to signing a deal that will pay her ” around $8 million to join the show with additional allowances for wardrobe, hair and makeup.”

Meanwhile Keith Urban, who sounded very cagey when asked in a New Zealand radio interview about whether he might become an Idol judge may be coming in for a bargain $3-$4 million. THR also says that Brad Paisley, who was also in talks with Idol to become a judge “apparently dropped out of the conversation because he wanted to match Minaj’s pay scale, which was a nonstarted with Idol brass.”

Addressing the future of Idol mainstay Randy Jackson and the possibility of a 4th judge, THR further reports:

The only question mark remains Randy Jackson, whose fate has not yet been decided. He might stay on as a fourth judge, or he might not, say sources. Idol producers are still talking with prospective judges for that fourth slot, and if they can find the right fit for the right price, Jackson could be shifted off the judges’ panel for the first time in the show’s history.

But as Carey’s co-manager and an Idol loyalist from the start, Jackson is still likely to have a major role on the show, even if it’s not as an official judge.

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  • bridgette12

    This is the first time I had heard he had actually talked to them. But I will be glad when they make the announcement, because I am sick of hearing about it. 

  • Aidolfan

    I think Randy should stay as a judge. He and Mariah could be like the new Simon & Paula lol.

  • http://openid.aol.com/sajam600 xcited

    I think Nicki has more current buzz and is more of a pop star.  I dont know if Urban is really that known outside the country market, but this will most likely help his career.  If he can leverage it even a fraction of the way Blake Shelton has,  hell be in good shape.   

  • http://openid.aol.com/sajam600 xcited

    Well it sounds like some of them want more money than Idol is wanting to pay.  With celebs, egos sometimes rule the day 

  • bridgette12

    Brad Paisley had to out of his mind if that report is correct, to think he was going to get the same amount as Nicki. Idol was smart to go with the cheaper alternative and got Keith Urban for about four million. It’s still shocking to me the amount of money these judges are getting just for one season. I guess once XFactor forked over the mega bucks to Britney, Idol had no choice but to open up their wallets. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1759402889 Natalie Blake

    I know, right??! He’s about the biggest jerk “musician” on the planet, aside from Chris Brown. Is he going to be all, “Imma let you speak….but BEYONCE is the best singer ev-ah!!!”

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1759402889 Natalie Blake

    How is Nick Jonas more qualified?? Adam Lambert would be able to provide valuable advice from the point of view of someone IN the contest. He’s also an excellent singer, with many years of experience in the business–both since Idol and before, in musical theater. Oh, and he’s 10 years Nick’s senior! I’d rather hear from a 30-year-old than a just-barely-past-teenie-bopper Jonas.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1759402889 Natalie Blake

    No one knows it because he was a session artist for Journey. Does that count as being “in” the band, Randy?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1759402889 Natalie Blake

    I love Keith Urban, so would be thrilled if he’s in. Nicki Minaj is a poor choice, I feel, and Mariah will be a diva. Perhaps the down-to-earth Keith will bring the judges’ panel some balance. IF there is a fourth judge, I’m still rooting for Adam. But I believe four is too many. It takes away from the contestants and makes the show run over (more than usual, that is).

  • elliegrll

    Nick and Adam would probably be equally qualified.  Nick was never on AI, but he is a musician and writer.  People use Adam’s acting as one of his qualifications, and Nick has also done some acting.  Nick also knows how to draw a following, and he’s sold more music than Adam has.

    Bringing up the age, the demo that AI wants to reach would be more open to hearing from someone their own age instead of someone who is over 30.

  • Latin2

    Keith would be a great because you would be adding a Country music singer also. 

  • Karen C

    I’m glad about Keith joining the show.  He has been supportive of Idols in the past, especially Kris.  I also think the fact that he is making consideribly less than what the other judges are rumored to be making may show that he is doing it because he wants to help, and not really for the money.  Though that’s still a lot to me.  And he will get some recognition from being a judge.

    I would still much rather have Lenny Kravitz or Alanis Morrisette than Nicki Minaj, or Nick Jonas.   I’d love if Adam were on, if he thought it was best for himself.

    I know this probably would never happen, but if they were going to look for a pop star as a judge,  I think Madonna would be excellent. Very experienced, a real trendsetter, and she also owned a record company, so I think she has A&R experience. 

    If Randy ends up being the mentor this year, I think that will work well, sometimes the advice he gave contestants was better than what Jimmy Iovine said.

  • alterego

    Adam Lambert struggled for 9+ years to make it in the business.  He tried out for Idol when he was in his late 20′s, because he was tired of being in the chorus.  Aside from the Jonas Bros, Nick Jonas was a child actor working in a number of successful productions on Broadway.  Someone like Jessica Sanchez will likely listen more from him as a contemporary, than someone who is 30 yrs old who is trying to salvage his own career.

  • lac123

    Actually, the latest production that Nick Jonas was in (How to Succeed…) closed early due to declining sales when he replaced Darren Criss.  I think that Nick’s biggest claim to fame is that he is a JoBro.  And he’s trying to salvage his career as well. 

  • snow_ghost

    I think Nick needs to make a movie.   And not a Disney one.   Sort of like how Justin Timberlake broke out in some of the films he made when he first started getting into acting.   Like Alpha Dog. 

    Nick is certainly talented, but I’m not sure an AI gig will make people think of him as an adult.

  • bridgette12

    Justin has personality and talent, which Nick lacks in various areas. Nick personifies Disney, very bland and predictable. 

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