Mariah Carey will join American Idol as a judge next season, Fox announced on Monday, bringing her star power to the show that remains a ratings leader but has seen its viewership and pop culture status diminish.“I am so excited to be joining ‘Idol,’” said Carey, addressing the Television Critics Association via Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly’s cellphone, which he put on speakerphone for the hotel ballroom meeting.She couldn’t be on hand with the group because “this kind of all just happened really quickly,” Carey said in her brief remarks. “I can’t wait to get started in the fall ... and I will see you in January.”The show, which saw judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez exit at the end of last season, will be back on the air for season 12 in January.Reilly called Carey “the biggest recording artist that any of these [talent] shows has ever had,” adding that she was the “artist that many of these contestants have tried to emulate, have tried some of the songs, have tried to hit the notes.”

Last night on American Idol, 18-year old Skylar Lane was voted out and although a lot of people felt this was a ‘shocker’, I wasn’t surprised at all because honestly, I just didn’t think she would be able to sell records.In the first place, it’s hard to hear her and even mentor Jimmy Lovine had commented on that, “she has to read the words better so people can understand her.” Second, her corny outfits and silly stage shows are not appealing. Now the final four that we are left with are Hollie Cavanagh, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez. Although I believe three of them belong there, certainly Jessica should have been given the boot for her ‘embarrassing and awkward’ rendition of Tina Turner singing Proud Mary.

Now don’t worry about Skylar, she is not sad about being voted out, in fact, she is quite happy about it.I’m just relieved. There’s no pressure anymore. I’m sad, but I just want to go home to my family and my friends. I want to do dirt riding! That’s the first thing I’m going to do.”She goes on to admit that she was “really not surprised” to hear Idol host, Ryan Seacrest dish the news on the Idol result show. “You can’t ever be surprised, seeing the weird results this whole past season. I’m just relieved right now. I went out on a good note, I’m really happy with my performances.”

Well, even though I am not a fan of hers, I do have to say one thing; at least she didn’t leave ‘cocky’ like Colton Dixon and Elise Testone.In her final words to US, Skylar said, “It sounds crazy but I’m going to miss and not miss the schedule. It’s going to be weird getting up every morning and not doing this. Once I get home and I have downtime, it’s going to be like, ‘Whoa! This is weird,’ because we never had downtime. I wish I could have a week at home just to do anything. I’m grateful for everything.”

Jennifer Lopez will return for another season of American Idol, an executive producer of the hit TV show has said.

The celebrity judge hasn't said anything. But executive producer Nigel Lythgoe was on the On Air with Ryan Seacrest programme in the US on Wednesday morning and made the announcement.

He acknowledged it wasn't official. But he added he was delighted to say that all three judges and the show's brilliant host are back for the next season. Ryan is the show's host. Singer actress Jennifer appeared as a judge during the previous season.

The other judges are Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and record producer Randy Jackson. American Idol is due to return to Fox television in January for its 11th season.

The mother of two, Jennifer Lopez, also known as “J Lo” is a singer, actress, dancer, song writer, record producer, entrepreneur, fashion designer and television producer. Though her one season stint on American Idol put Jennifer Lopez back into the spotlight, the singer says she's not sure if she'll be returning for the show's 11th season.Jennifer Lopez is quite content singing and dancing especially around the issue of whether she'll return to "American Idol."

The actress and singer is promoting her album "Love?" abroad, performing and making the interview rounds. Fter her successful season on "Idol," the wife and mom says she's not under the gun to renew her contract and she's loving every second of it. "I haven't been forced to make a decision and I'm glad about that," Lopez told bbc Radio. "I'm very kind of on the fence about it, we're not really at the breaking point of 'You have to make a decision right now.' So I'm not."

Lopez said that with her busy schedule she can only take it day by day and needs to ponder what she wants to do with her upcoming year. In addition to her music, she's up for a movie that films in September and has endorsement deals for L'Oreal hair products and Gucci's kids line.

Lauren Alaina is an American singer from Rossville, Georgia. Alaina was the runner up on the tenth season of American Idol.Alaina was born on November 8, 1994, to Kristy and J.J. Suddeth of Rossville, Georgia. Her father works as a process technician in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is a sophomore student at Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High School in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where she is a cheerleader. Alaina was inspired to sing by her cousin, Holly Witherow, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Prior to Idol, Alaina performed at several Chattanooga area venues and was the first winner of the Winnistar youth talent contest at Lake Winnepesaukah amusement park in 2009. In addition to performing, Alaina wrote several songs including "Leaving" and "Set Me Free".Alaina auditioned for the tenth season of American Idol in Nashville, Tennessee. She was runner up on the show. May 14, 2011 was proclaimed "Lauren Alaina Day" in her hometown of Rossville, Georgia.

Lauren Alaina may not have won American Idol, but her career is still skyrocketing. Her debut single, “Like My Mother Does,” was sent to radio after she performed it on the show May 24 and it debuted at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It was also No. 11 on the Digital Songs chart and No. 20 on the Hot 100 chart after selling more than 121,000 units in one week. Lauren is the highest debut for a second place Idol finalist in six years.Just a week following the season finale of “American Idol,” the teenagers were together doing press like a team and this team doesn’t roll alone: They’re equipped with publicists, security guards, managers, record label extras and their real bosses their mothers.Lauren was able to perform with one of her personal idols and former American Idol winner.Lauren will start recording her debut album this week and make her first appearances at CMA Music Festival and the Grand Ole Opry.

Twilight actress Nikki Reed and American Idol alum Paul McDonald are engaged. Twilight star Nikki Reed’s father has told that he is happy. Wearing a ring on her engagement finger at Sunday night's MTV Movie Awards, Reed responded to wedding inquiries by saying, "He's the one!" After less than two months of dating, Reed was sporting a sparkling engagement ring on the red carpet, He's the one," Reed, 23, said of the bearded Nashville singer who came in eighth place on the show this year.When McDonald was eliminated from "Idol" in April, he admitted they were an item, calling Reed "super cool" and saying that she'd been very supportive of his musical ambitions. Us Weekly reported two weeks ago that the pair had shacked up at Reed's Los Angeles home and that she has been trying to help him land a recording contract.While Reed was hush hush about her own impending nuptials on the red carpet at the Movie Awards, she did weigh in on the eagerly anticipated wedding in the upcoming "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn."It was stunning; it was like a dream," added Reed, who admitted that she was napping in her trailer when paparazzi helicopters buzzed the set during the shoot to get a peek at the fictional wedding.

We've known that Shania Twain is a star for quite some time, but Today it became official. The singer-songwriter will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame "cementing" her status.Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Leron Gubler and actress-model Bo Derek will unveil the sidewalk fixture in the category of recording. Shania's star is lucky number 2,442, as she joins the ranks of Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and many more country celebs immortalized on the famous walk.Shania's life is definitely in an upswing. She recently previewed her first new song in nearly six years, 'Today is Your Day,' which will appear on her new album."I wrote this song in real time as the series developed," the songbird tells Perez Hilton, referring to her 'Why Not? With Shania Twain' television show. "I'm mixing the record now, and by the end of the series the song should be released. I'm so excited! I can't believe it!"This year’s CMT Music Awards will be packed with some of the biggest names in music. Shania Twain it set to be a presenter, making it her first appearance at the awards in seven years. Other presenters include, Luke Bryan, Sara Evans, Laura Bell Bundy, Justin Bieber, Sheryl Crow, “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina, Train, Kristin Chenoweth, Melissa Peterman and “Dancing With the Stars” champion Hines Ward.Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Big & Rich, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland, Toby Keith, Rascal Flatts, and the Incognito Banditos and the Zac Brown Band will all be performing during the show. Kid Rock will be the host for the second consecutive year.Jason Aldean leads the pack with four nominations. Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band and Taylor Swift all follow with three.

American Idol has crowned its champion, talk turns to J.Lo. Will she return as a judge next season? Unlike fellow judge Steven Tyler who signed a multi-year contract, Jennifer only signed up for one year as the singer refused to confirm whether she would sign up for the 10th season of the show.The 41 year-old, who has boosted ratings and attracted rave reviews since joining eight months ago, has earned significantly less money from the show than fellow judge Steven Tyler. Tyler, who is tied into a multi year contract that ensures he will return through the 11th season alongside original judge Randy Jackson.now Jennifer has to decide whether she wants to remain as a judge on the show next year or relaunch her pop career.jennifer said "It's too early to tell", who is believed to be in contract negotiations with fox. Everyone has multiple year contracts. Jennifer had single-year contract.

I love Jennifer as a judge on American Idol. I do not know what is up with people being negative. Jennifer Lopez added class to American Idol this season. I just love seeing a talented and beautiful woman do her thing. She is definitely a Star. Simone was excellent on American Idol but Jennifer and Steven gave us something different.

Jennifer Lopez's future as a judge on "American Idol" looked uncertain Thursday as the singer refused to confirm whether she would sign up for the 10th season of the show.

The 41 year-old, who has boosted ratings and attracted rave reviews since joining eight months ago, has earned significantly less money from the show than fellow judge Steven Tyler,who is tied into a multi-year contract that ensures he will return through the 11th season alongside original judge Randy Jackson, reportedly raked in $18 million for the first season alone.Lopez signed a single-year contract for a rumored $12 million -- and now has to decide whether she wants to remain as a judge on the show next year or relaunch her pop career."It's too early to tell," said Lopez, who is believed to be in contract negotiations with FOX."Everyone has multiple-year contracts. Jennifer had [a] single-year contract. We loved having her -- the hope and expectation is she'll return," FOX chief Peter Rice said earlier this week.A source also overheard the Aerosmith rocker happily confirm Wednesday that he’ll be back for another round. (Based on the rumors that he earned  $18 million for the first season alone, it’s no wonder he’s enthusiastic.)But Lopez, who signed for significantly less money (a reported $12 million), isn’t so sure of her future.