Mariah Carey Confirmed as New "American Idol" Judge with $18 Million Payday

By Zanub Saeed

Multiple-Grammy winner Mariah Cary has been confirmed to take over the judging spots left by Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler on "American Idol," and is getting paid $18 million for it, FOX confirmed via People magazine.

The announcement was made during the Television Critics Association summer tour earlier this week at Beverly Hills, by FOX Entertainment resident Kevin Reilly while he discussed the previous judges, noted People. Reilly further confirmed that Tyler and Lopez were out, and that long-term judge Randy Jackson may be gone, as well.

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"We do, in fact, have one judge whose deal closed very, very recently," Reilly told reporters at the Beverly Hilton. "It's an artist that many contestants have tried to emulate, have tried to have sung the songs, have tried to hit the notes and because it really was concluded only hours ago, our judge couldn't be with us."

Reilly then let Carey speak via phone at the event, who announced her judging tenure for the upcoming season of "American Idol."

"I am so excited to be joining Idol," Carey told the press, reported People. "First of all, I wanted to be there today and I wish I could've been there to tell you, but I think you know this all kind of just happened real quickly, so I can't wait to get started in a couple months."

Carey was given an $18 million contract for her first year at "American Idol" with the chance to renew her contract for more seasons, noted People.

Carey is "totally elated," a source close to the "American Idol" negotiations told People. "She's in the studio, and she's getting ready to record the video for her new single, "Triumphant" - certainly an appropriate title, and it was written before the deal."