TMZ is reporting that Mariah Carey is the highest paid judge in reality show television at the moment. (Other than Simon Cowell who sorta doesn’t count because he owns the show).
Mariah Carey just became the HIGHEST PAID JUDGE in reality television … because her one-year deal with “American Idol” is worth close to $18 MILLION … this according to sources connected to “Idol.”
Carey’s deal dwarfs the contract Jennifer Lopez signed when she joined the judge’s table — J.Lo only scored a measly $12 mil for her first year on the show.
Carey also blows past Britney Spears … who’s making $15 million on “X Factor.”
ETA: I think the one upping is kind of dumb. It may be the reason why Idol had no problem giving Mimi the money. The show will get bragging rights too. It’s annoying, because in the end, does it really matter who is sitting at the judges table? A good Idol season is wholly dependent on the cast of contestants. End of story.