(Billboard) – Less than a day after it was announced that Steven Tyler would be leaving his gig as a judge on “American Idol” — to focus on his music and his band, Aerosmith — People.com has learned that Mariah Carey is in consideration to judge the Fox reality show. “She’s in play,” an insider said. “They are in serious talks.”
Earlier this year, when it was announced that there would be judge shake-ups at Fox’s other singing show, “The X Factor,” Carey was reportedly in consideration to judge that show, although Demi Lovato and Britney Spears have since accepted the jobs.
Just a few hours before Tyler left “Idol,” fellow judge Jennifer Lopez was on NBC’s “Today” show, where she hinted that it might be time for her to move on from her judging role. She is reportedly still in negotiations and undecided for next year.
There has not yet been an announcement about the future of the show’s third judge, Randy Jackson, who has been on “Idol” since it’s first season.
Earlier this week, former “Idol” competitor Adam Lambert was named as a possible judge for the show’s 12th season, and he said in a statement to Billboard.com that, “If ‘Idol’ wants to talk to me about judging, I’d be more than flattered to have that conversation.”