With Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler both leaving American Idol show bosses are on the hunt for new news judges, and Mariah Carey is said to be a front runner. An insider tells People magazine the pop star and is in “serious talks” with Idol producers about filling one of the vacant spots on the judge’s panel.
“She’s in play. They are in serious talks,” the source says.
Another source tells Us Weekly it is “very close to being a done deal.” Neither American Idol nor Carey, 42, has commented on the rumors.
Meanwhile, the fate of Randy Jackson – the only original judge remaining on the show – is said to be up in the air. Insiders claim Jackson may leave the panel because producers want to “freshen everything up now.” Jackson will likely move into a “mentoring role,” a source says.
Tyler announced his departure in a statement Thursday afternoon. The rocker said he plans to focus on making music with Aerosmith. The band’s next album is due out this November. "The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass," Tyler said. "Idol was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it. ... Now it's time to bring rock back."
Lopez revealed her decision to leave in a radio interview with Ryan Seacrest Friday morning. "I honestly feel the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that you do, and you have to pay attention to that, too. I could 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 said.
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