(PCM) It’s official! Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban will be joining Mariah Carey and veteran Randy Jackson (of course) at the American Idol judges’ table this season, Fox announced. “It’s really an honor to have been invited to be a part of the American Idol family,” Urban, 44, says. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone and to seeing the same passion that I have for music in all of the participants.” But despite announcing the official panel just days ago, there are already rumors circulating that there’s drama stirring on set…between the two ladies, of course. Carey denied the claim at a recent press conference in NYC, where the first round of…Read more

Mariah Carey has officially become the highest paid judge in reality television. Forget about retired “Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez’s measly $12 million paycheck; Carey’s new “American Idol” deal is worth nearly $18 million, according to TMZ – and that’s just for one year!  That makes her the new highest paid reality judge, blowing away “X Factor’s” Britney Spears by a cool $3 million. Mariah tweeted about joining the show, saying, “It’s gonna be so much fun working on American Idol. As a singer-songwriter, I’m excited to help find and nurture new talent. LYM! – MC” I guess “Idol” can afford it, now that Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are out,…Read more

After a stellar Season 10, Idol fans can rejoice in news that the three beloved judges of last season will once again be reunited for Season 11. While Jennifer Lopez had been “on the fence” in announcing whether she would return, yesterday morning American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told the audience of “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” that J.Lo will, in fact, be returning alongside her fellow judges Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler. Seacrest prompted the announcement when he asked Lythgoe, “Do you want to do the Jennifer announcement here or are we still waiting?” Lythgoe replied, “I believe we’re still waiting for the official announcements but I am…Read more

Finalist Pia Toscano was eliminated tonight on American Idol after she received the fewest of America’s votes. On Wednesday’s performance show, the Top 9 performed the songs from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Toscano, 22, from Howard Beach, NY, sang “River Deep, Mountain High.” Tonight’s episode featured performances by punk legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Iggy Pop and Season Four  Idol finalist Constantine Maroulis. On Wednesday, April 13  the Top 8 finalists – Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald and Haley Reinhart – return to the IDOL stage to perform songs from the movies. Did…Read more

This Thursday’s American Idol results show was one of the most shocking shows yet. The night began with a surprise appearance by Stevie Wonder who showed up to wish his friend Steven Tyler a happy birthday. Then finalists James Durban and Paul McDonald confessed their love of pro wrestling. Ryan Seacrest called them both center stage to tell them their fate and said neither of them were safe. After the audience shocked response he repeated himself and then Hulk Hogan appeared to let the awestruck contestants know they were in fact safe from elimination. As the show continued the bottom three were revealed which included Thia Megia, Stefano Langone, and…Read more

Can you imagine someone handing you $7.11 million dollars for every half hour you worked?! I probably would only work for an hour because I’d be set for a good minute! Well that’s how much some of the TV shows that we all love are earning, and this isn’t per episode, (I needed to reiterate that) but every 30 minutes!!! Forbes revealed their annual list of TV’s Biggest Moneymakers in 2010 and is it really that hard to guess which show was number one?! It was for me; because I assumed with all the “Sheen” controversy that Two and a Half Men had it in the bag, but American Idol…Read more

Last night on Sixx Sense, international rock icon Nikki Sixx responded to the verbal sparring between Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Kid Rock regarding Tyler’s decision to join American Idol as a judge. Kid Rock has stated publically that it’s “…the stupidest thing he’s (Tyler) ever done in his life…”, while Tyler has said Kid Rock is “just jealous” and suggests he is trying to attract attention to his new album. Did you like this? Share it:Tweet

Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler has been saying that he is “probably” going to be one of the new judges on American Idol. After a Las Vegas concert over the weekend, Tyler said his future plans include, “recording an album and [I’m] probably going to be judge on American Idol.” American Idol has not confirmed that the Aerosmith rocker will be joining the show. Tyler gave no other details, but just said, “I’m doing it. What do you think? I’m doing it.” Rumors have also been surfacing saying that Kara DioGuardi has been fired from the show and Jennifer Lopez will be one of the other new additions to the judges panel….Read more

Ellen DeGeneres just announced that she has “voted herself off American Idol”! The talk show host and former ‘Idol’ judge released the following statement explaining her departure: “A couple months ago, I let FOX and the “American Idol” producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me. I told them I wouldn’t leave them in a bind and that I would hold off on doing anything until they were able to figure out where they wanted to take the panel next. It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love…Read more

A former American Idol reject – who stole the mic from Dane Cook during the live finale earlier this year – has filed a complaint for workplace discrimination and is setting the stage for a massive $300 million lawsuit. Ian Benardo claims that problems began in 2006 when he first auditioned for the show. In a fax sent to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Benardo says that the Idol powers “exploited my non-conforming appearance and sexual orientation. They did this by directing me to ‘gay it up’ in any appearance I made on camera.” The American Idol wannabe contestant continued on to say, “Although characterized as an ‘audition’ to the public at…Read more