Report: Mariah Carey Lands $18 Million 'American Idol' Paycheck

Singer will be highest-earning judge on any music competition show

July 24, 2012 9:30 AM ET

Mariah Carey attends the BET Awards in Los Angeles.

Christopher Polk/Getty Images For BET

After officially joining American Idol as a judge, Mariah Carey will receive $18 million with a one-year option for her role on the show, reports Us Weekly. The hefty paycheck will make Carey the highest earning judge on any music competition show, overshadowing Britney Spears' approximately $16 million deal to judge The X Factor. Jennifer Lopez, who recently left Idol along with former judge Steven Tyler, raked in around $12 million for each season.

Though Carey helps fill the vacancies left by Lopez and Tyler, Idol still needs a judge. Last week, Charlie Sheen expressed interest in joining the show's panel.

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

Mariah Carey Joins 'American Idol' As New Judge

Movies Main

Warner Bros. Pledges 'Substantial' Donation to Colorado Shooting Victims

Picks From Around the Web

blog comments powered by Disqus

Daily Newsletter

We may use your e-mail address to send you the newsletter and offers that may interest you, on behalf of Rolling Stone and its partners. For more information please read our Privacy Policy.