Pop singer Mariah Carey confirmed Monday that she will be replacing Jennifer Lopez as a judge on the hit reality show American Idol.

The announcement was made at the Television Critics Association summer tour in Beverly Hills during comments by Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly.

“We do, in fact, have one judge whose deal closed very, very recently,” Reilly told reporters. “It’s an artist that many contestants have tried to emulate, have tried to have sung the songs, have tried to hit the notes and because it really was concluded only hours ago, our judge couldn’t be with us.”

He then put a phone call on speaker phone, where Carey’s voice could be heard.

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“I am so excited to be joining Idol,” she said. “First of all, I wanted to be there today and I wish I could’ve been there to tell you, but I think you know this all kind of just happened real quickly, so I can’t wait to get started in a couple months.”

Carey is the first judge to be confirmed for the next season of the show. Lopez announced her decision to leave earlier this month, along with the Steven Tyler. Randy Jackson, who has been with the show since it’s creation, is said to be on the fence about returning.

Do you think Carey will be a solid replacement?

[image: WENN]