They might be sisters in song, but Mariah Carey is furious with Nicki Minaj. Specifically, with her addition to the judge's table for the 12th season of "American Idol."
Rumor has it that Carey, herself a new judge this season on "Idol," became infuriated and hung up the phone when producers of the program called to tell her they were in talks with Nicki Minaj to join the season 12 judging panel.
They may have dueted on Carey's "Up Out of My Face," but the idea of working with Nicki Minaj on "American Idol" apparently strikes a sour note with the 42-year-old diva. After news surfaced that Minaj is nearing a deal to join Carey on the judges' panel for the Fox singing competition, an irate Carey hung up on a phone call with producers, TMZ reported.
Unnamed sources told the gossip site that the pop singer thought she belonged as the only woman on the panel.
Carey took to Twitter on Monday, posting a picture of her and Lenny Kravitz with the plea, "@AmericanIdol What's going on? need the info!! What about this combo? : ) if we could ever get him to do it!"
Carey joined the series following the departure of judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. Carey will rake in $17 million to judge the show -- the same amount that Lopez was seeking before deciding that even that wasn't enough money to sit around and listen to lousy singers all day. The $17 million payday will make Carey the highest-paid judge on a singing competition.
The 29-year-old Minaj surfaced as the frontrunner for one of the vacancies left by outgoing "Idol" judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler in an US Weekly report Monday.
"I'm not sure the deal is completely done yet, but yes, she is definitely doing it," a source told US Weekly. "A few more things to sign off on but it is happening."
Other bold-face names are still being considered for the judges table though, especially if holdover Randy Jackson moves over into a "mentor role," as has been widely reported. Country singers Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, Enrique Iglesias, and producer Pharrell Wiliams have also all been rumored to be in the mix.
"American Idol" producers are under pressure to match the A-list judging crews boasted by their upstart rivals in "The Voice" (Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green) and "The X-Factor" (Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, L.A. Reid and Simon Cowell).
Reports leaked Monday that Minaj was negotiating with producers. Tuesday, it was reported that Kanye West was negotiating with producers.
FOX hasn't said anything official about Minaj joining "Idol." So far, Carey is the only one talking about Kravitz becoming a judge. Earlier this month, Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers confirmed reports that he's in the running for a judge spot.
"The rumors are true," Jonas said via Twitter. "I am being considered to be a judge on 'American Idol,' and it would be a dream come true if it happens."
TMZ reported Tuesday that Kanye West is negotiating with producers to become an "American Idol" judge.
Sources close to the production supposedly said show bosses reached out to West about filling one of the two remaining open judging spots, and West was interested. Mariah Carey is the only judge officially on board for next season.
"He's on the fence," because he's not sure if 'A.I.' is in his wheelhouse," the source told TMZ.
"Informed" sources allegedly told TMZ the show would have to "at least match Mariah's salary" of $18 million a year to land West.
West has not commented on the report.
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