Mariah Carey's "American Idol" salary isn't quite as high was Nick Cannon may have hoped for, but it's still sizable. According to People, Carey will take home about $18 million for her time on the "American Idol" judge panel. This makes Carey one of the highest -- if not the highest -- paid reality TV judge.
In early July, Nick Cannon, Carey's husband, told TMZ that "American Idol" would need to show Carey some big bucks to get her to sign on. "I don't know if they can afford Mariah Carey," he said. "That's a lot of money. If they gave J.Lo $20 million, they might have to double that!"
Cannon's prediction was wrong and Carey's involvement with "Idol" was officially announced just days after he made that statement.
“As a singer, songwriter and producer, it’s going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back with 'American Idol,'” Carey said in a statement. "I'm currently in the studio working on my new album and its first single, 'Triumphant,' which will be out early next month. I can’t wait to channel my creative energy as a part of this show which is a massive global phenomenon.”
Among the new crop of celebrities turned reality TV judges, Britney Spears asked for $20 million for "The X Factor," but reportedly agreed to $15 million. Meanwhile, her fellow new "X Factor" judge Demi Lovato is taking home $1 million for her time on the show, according to TMZ. Howard Stern joined "America's Got Talent" with a $15 million paycheck, according to People.
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