Deadline is reporting that pop legend, Mariah Carey, is close to finalizing a deal to join the American Idol judges’ panel. Sources are reporting that Mariah is negotiating a salary for more than 17 million dollars, which would set a record for talent on a reality series, eclipsing the salary of Jennifer Lopez.
If the report is true, it lends credence to the rumor that Jennifer was let go. Idol honchos were willing to pay a high salary–just not to Jennifer. Or maybe Jennifer really did walk away from a big paycheck. However, it throws a little wrench into that budget cutting report–unless Idol plans on going super cheap filling the remaining empty seat.
Speaking of empty seats–if Mariah takes a spot on the panel, will it be beside her manager, Randy Jackson? Or will he end up working for Idol in another capacity–or not at all? If Idol wants Mariah bad enough, she could make the continued presence of Randy Jackson part of her deal. Or, if Randy was responsible for bringing Mimi on board, I’d say Idol owed him a SUPER SOLID favor. Hm. What could have been going through the Dawwwggg’s mind as he sold his fly watches on HSN tonight?
Deadline has heard that Fox moved quickly to snag Mariah before Simon Cowell could get his hands on her for X Factor. Heh.
Via Deadline
