What has been a rumor for the last few weeks since the announcement that both Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez were leaving American Idol, has now been confirmed…five-time Grammy Award-winning singer Mariah Carey will join season 12 as the new judge.
“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.”
There is still no confirmation yet if original Idol judge Randy Jackson will stay on board for season 12 or who will fill the third judges seat, however rumors right now are pointing to Idol alum Adam Lambert.
Idol has also announced that there will two new ways of audition for the upcoming season during their TCA Summer Press Tour. Online auditions for Season 12 will be open from Wednesday, Aug. 1 through Tuesday, Aug. 14 and The “AMERICAN IDOL Small Town Audition Bus Tour” will stop at the following cities: Idaho Falls, ID; Billings, MT; Casper, WY; Rock Rapids, IA; Iowa City, IA; Bowling Green, KY; Clarksdale, MS; Joplin, MO; Dodge City, KA; and Grand Junction, CO. Please visit www.americanidol.com for more information on both audition formats.
Season 12 of American Idol will premiere on FOX in 2013.
[...] twins were born last year – titled “Triumphant (Get ’Em)” (available now) and as we reported earlier is taking over for Jennifer Lopez as a judge on FOX’s hit show American [...]