Already have an account?
Get back to the

Nicki Minaj Joins Mariah Carey as New American Idol Judge

1345475049_nicki minaj 467
Singer Nicki Minaj on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" during an interview on July 13, 2012.

Nicki Minaj — and her multiple personas — will be joining Mariah Carey at the judges' table on American Idol, two sources confirm to Us Weekly. (Hollywood Reporter was first to report the story.)

"I'm not sure the deal is completely done yet, but yes, she is definitely doing it," one insider reveals. "A few more slight things to sign off on but it is happening."

A second source says the "Super Bass" rapper, 29, is "100% confirmed to judge American Idol." Reps for FOX and Minaj had no comment when contacted by Us.

Related: PHOTOS: Nicki Minaj's craziest hairstyles

Minaj — born Onika Tanya Maraj — toured North America with Britney Spears throughout 2011; she will embark on her own world tour beginning October 21 in Nottingham, England. The rapper's latest album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, debuted at No. 1 in April 2012 and spawned two Top 10 singles, "Starships" and "Pound the Alarm."

On July 23, five-time Grammy Award winner Mariah Carey confirmed she will appear as a judge on American Idol next season. "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," the singer said in a statement. "I can't wait to channel my creative energy as a part of this show which is a massive global phenomenon."

Related: VIDEO: Would you rock a

As Us exclusively reported in late July, Nick Jonas, 19, is also in the running to fill one of the vacant seats at the judges' table. (Randy Jackson, 56, is being moved into a "mentoring role," according to a source.)

The "Who I Am" singer later confirmed the news via Twitter. "I am being considered to be a judge on American Idol," Jonas wrote. "And it would be a dream come true if it happens." N.E.R.D. rapper Pharrell Williams, 39, is also being considered, according to insiders.

Related: PHOTOS: American Idol judges, then and now

Previous American Idol judges include Simon Cowell, 52, Paula Abdul, 50, Jennifer Lopez, 43, Steven Tyler, 64, Kara DioGuardi, 41, and Ellen DeGeneres, 54. Host Ryan Seacrest, 37, is slated to return for Season 12, premiering this winter.

In this article

Got a Tip form close button
Got a tip for US?
We're All Ears for Celebrity Buzz!