Mariah Carey has joined American Idol as a new judge following the recent departure of Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez from the panel.
Carey will make her debut when the television talent show returns in January 2013 on Fox in the US.
She said of her appointment: “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.
“I can’t wait to channel my creative energy as a part of this show which is a massive global phenomenon.”
Idol creator and executive producer Simon Fuller said: “We are proud to have one of the world's greatest-ever female singers join our show.
“Mariah defines the word 'idol' and will inspire every singer that has the honour of performing in front of her.”
Other top execs who work on the show commented on Carey’s experience and suitability for the judging panel with FremantleMedia CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz saying, “She’s a true artist, ideally suited to identify and nurture American Idol’s next great music superstars.”
Fox Broadcasting president of Alternative Entertainment Mike Darnell added: “She has a deep knowledge of music and a career insight that will make her a really amazing asset to our judges’ table and to our contestants. It’s the dream of almost everyone who auditions for Idol to sing like Mariah and we couldn’t be happier to have her be part of the show.”
Carey is currently working material for her new album to be released under the Island Def Jam Music Group. The first single taken from the LP, Triumphant, is set to be released next month.
Since her 1990 debut track Vision Of Love, Carey has gone on to sell more than 200 million records worldwide. She has had more No.1 songs than any solo artist in history, with her 18 Billboard No.1 singles (17 of which she wrote) - a record rivalling all but The Beatles.
She has also picked up numerous accolades including five Grammys, nine American Music Awards, Billboard’s Artist of the Decade Award, the World Music Award for World’s Best-Selling Female Artist of the Millennium and BMI’s Icon Award, to name a few.
To date, American Idol alums have produced 349 No.1 Billboard hits and garnered nearly 250 million iTunes downloads. Last year, Season 10 winner Scotty McCreery released his debut album Clear As Day, which dominated the Billboard Country Albums chart and has gone platinum, selling more than one million copies. Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips’ first single, Home, which was released May 23, has been certified gold.
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