They’re apparently still going ahead with making more seasons of American Idol. Mariah Carey, one of the most iconic divas in music history, has signed on to Season 12 of American Idol – and some speculate she may be banking up to $17 million per episode. This comes on the heels of both Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez packing things up and saying goodbye to the panel that they’ve called home for the past two seasons.
In a snippet of the press release, we see:
Mariah Carey, one of the best-selling female recording artists of all time, has joined AMERICAN IDOL as a new judge. A five-time Grammy Award-winning global superstar with more than 200 million records sold worldwide and more No. 1 songs than any solo artist in history, her 18 Billboard No. 1 singles (17 of which Carey wrote) rival all but The Beatles. Carey joins the judges’ panel when AMERICAN IDOL returns in January 2013 on FOX.
“As a singer, songwriter and producer, it’s going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back with AMERICAN IDOL,” said Mariah Carey. “I’m currently in the studio working on my new album and its first single, ‘Triumphant,’ which will be out early next month. I can’t wait to channel my creative energy as a part of this show which is a massive global phenomenon.”
“We are proud to have one of the world’s greatest-ever female singers join our show,” said IDOL creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. “Mariah defines the word ‘Idol’ and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her.”
Mariah Carey definitely does bring a bit more credibility to the series. Being probably the most succesful music artist to ever grace the panel, she can bestow upon contestants – who hopefully aren’t just giddy Lambs (MC stans) waiting to see her.
However, as if the credibility of American Idol hasn’t been shot in the foot enough – now we’re continue to witness the revolving door of panel judges. Just a few years ago we saw Kara DioGaurdi and Ellen Degeneres (what?) play judge. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez for the last couple of seasons. And now Mariah Carey. It doesn’t help either that the show has become so formulaic, and do unappealing after the auditions (although even the auditions are pretty tampered with themselves) that no one cares about who succeeds. The last major selling American Idol winner was Carrie Underwood. Since then, the winners of the event have failed to make any major waves and are doomed to a career of Idol-dom.
Personally, to me, American Idol should’ve ended a long time ago – now they’re just beating a dead horse. Think of it like a new Blackberry coming out – in a world dominated by iPhones and Droids. Think about it.
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