NEWS: Niki Minaj signs for "American Idol' ?

 

Nicki Minaj sings about "Starships," but is she a star-maker. The singer-rapper could be joining the ranks of "American Idol" judges.

NEWS UPDATE :Mariah Carey: Heading To "American Idol?"

If the latest "American Idol" buzz is true, Mariah Carey could be the next diva to join the judging panel of the FOX singing competition.

The "Touch My Body" songstress is said to be in negotations to become a judge on AI following the announcement that Steven Tyler is leaving and Jennifer Lopez is still unsure whether to sign on for another season.Dishing about Mariah joining the hit show, an insider tells PEOPLE, "She's in play," explaining that "American Idol" and the singer "are in serious talks."

However, it seems the 42-year-old singer is busy focusing on her own musical career as well as family, "Writing lyrics in the car on the way to see Dem Babies waking up" she tweeted earlier today adding a picture of herself sitting in the back seat of a Rolls-Royce.

Carey is preparing to launch her 14th studio album later this summer after working with the legendary producer Rodney Jerkins in Los Angeles on the follow up to her 2009 album 'Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel'.

In other "American Idol" news, Lopez hinted she too could be leaving telling the "Today" show on Thursday (July 12), "I am thinking that it's time for me to go," which would mean AI would have to scramble to find not one but two more judges to join Randy Jackson on the judging panel.

NEWS :Steven Tyler Leaves American Idol. Could J-Lo Be Next?

American Idol judge Steven Tyler of Aerosmith participates in the American Idol panel at the Fox Broadcasting Company Television

Well, hellfire, save matches, [American Idol bleep logo] a duck and see what hatches: Steven Tyler is leaving American Idol.

The singing judge, Aerosmith frontman and coiner of obscene folk expressions joined Idol with Jennifer Lopez two seasons ago, but, Fox announced today, he’s leaving to focus more exclusively on his music. Here’s his statement, and I strongly suggest finding your friend who does the best Tyler impression to read it aloud to you:


After some long…hard…thoughts…I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit. I strayed from my first love, AEROSMITH, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass – the ultimate in auditory takeover…On Nov. 6, we are unleashing our new album, Music from Another Dimension on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and way beyond the stars…IDOL was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it’s time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD.

Anyway. Tyler and Lopez have held down the judges’ table with Randy Jackson for two seasons now, and while they’ve made the judging—well, less judge-y—with their general reluctance to give tough criticism, Tyler has at least shown a empathy, a quirky sense of humor and a kind of loveable-grandpa side (to balance his occasional creepy-grandpa flashes with Idol’s comely young lady contestants).

Part of the surprise here was that recent attention has focused on whether J-Lo would stick around; as recently as today she'd been quoted as saying that this past season might be her last. I don’t know if this is as worrisome for Idol, though, as the departures of Paula Abdul, Ellen DeGeneres and especially Simon Cowell. The show may not be the same, but the ratings have not collapsed (they may be fading, but Idol could do a slow fade and be strong for years). It always seemed likely that recording stars like Tyler and Lopez would do the show a few years at most, so the show may just be entering an era where judge is a more temporary, visiting-laureate position.

At least we’ll always have Randy Jackson. Though at last report, he too had not yet signed on for season 12. ERMAHGERD.