Mariah Carey is new 'American Idol' judge

BEVERLY HILLS, California - Mariah Carey will join “American Idol” as a judge next season, Fox announced Monday, bringing her star power to the show that remains a ratings leader but has seen its viewership and pop culture status diminish.

“I am so excited to be joining ‘Idol,’” said Carey, addressing the Television Critics Association via Fox entertainment chief Kevin Reilly’s cell phone, which he put on speakerphone for the hotel ballroom meeting.

She couldn’t be on hand with the group because “this kind of all just happened really quickly,” Carey said in her brief remarks. “I can’t wait to get started in the fall... and I will see you in January.”

The show, which saw judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez exit at the end of last season, will be back on the air for season 12 in January.

Reilly called Carey “the biggest recording artist that any of these (talent) shows has ever had,” adding that she was the “artist that many of these contestants have tried to emulate, have tried some of the songs, have tried to hit the notes.”

Playing the drama up, Reilly placed a call to Carey and put her on speaker.

“Hi, Mariah. How are you? It’s Kevin,” he said. “We do have a deal, don’t we? Yes!”

Reilly said he was “thrilled” to confirm reports that Carey was being courted by Fox and said the deal was freshly signed within the last few hours.

The Grammy-winning pop star is receiving just shy of $18 million a year for a one-year contract with a renewal option, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person, lacking authority to discuss the matter publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.

The exit of Tyler and Lopez left original judge Randy Jackson and started a guessing game about potential replacements, with Carey at the top of the list.http://beta.philstar.com/new/cms/frame.aspx

As one of music’s best-selling singers, she could provide the clout “American Idol” needs to compete in an increasingly crowded talent show field. Besides Fox sibling “The X Factor,” which recently added Britney Spears and Demi Lovato as judges, there’s NBC’s “The Voice,” which boasts Christina Aguilera among its big names.

“Not being the only game in town now, we need to keep things fresh,” Reilly said. The search is on for a third judge, and he promised another impressive pick. It could a star or someone like music executive and “Idol” mentor Jimmy Iovine, who wasn’t a household name when he joined, Reilly said. But, he added, after 12 seasons “we need to have something to talk about.” Source:http://www.philstar.com

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon reveal baby names

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon have revealed the names of their newborn twins.

The 'We Belong Together' singer and America's Got Talent host Cannon welcomed a son and a daughter at a Los Angeles hospital over the weekend.

The boy has been named Moroccan Scott Cannon, while the girl is called Monroe Cannon, according to a post on Carey's official website.

The name Moroccan is in reference to the decor of a room in Carey's New York apartment, which is influenced by the country and also served as the setting for Cannon's proposal, while Scott is Cannon's middle name, says CNN.

Monroe is a tribute to the late Marilyn Monroe.

Carey had previously teased on Twitter that the children had both been given names beginning with 'M', inviting followers to guess the monikers. She also described the newborns, who arrived on her third wedding anniversary to Cannon, as "incredible gifts".

The couple, who married in the Bahamas, renewed their vows in the hospital with Reverend Al Sharpton shortly following the birth of their twins.

Mariah Carey, Nick Cannon congratulated by stars

Celebrities including Nicki Minaj and Alyssa Milano have extended their congratulations to new parents of twins Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon.

The 'Touch My Body' singer and her husband welcomed a son and a daughter together on Saturday, which also happened to be the third anniversary of their wedding.

As the couple got to know the new additions, Hall Pass actress Milano was quick to spread the happy news on Twitter, prompting more celebrities to send their well-wishes.

'Moment 4 Life' singer Minaj tweeted to Carey: "Congratulations Mariah & Nick! The twins have finally landed on earth! Yaaayyyyy!"

R&B group Boyz II Men, who collaborated with Carey on 1995 hit 'One Sweet Day', later added: "Just got the news! Congrats Mr and Mrs Cannon on ur (your) twin babies!! Look forward to sleepless nights for the next few weeks..."

Music producers Jermaine Dupri and Rodney Jerkins were also amongst the mass of Twitter users congratulating the couple.

Cannon, who previously described the birth as "the most incredible anniversary gift", returned to the social networking site this evening to declare: "I'm in the happiest place I've ever been in my life. I never had more amazing things happening. I am humbled by God's Favour!!"

Mariah Carey gives birth to twin babies

Mariah Carey has welcomed twins earlier today with husband Nick Cannon.

Cindi Berger, a representative for the couple, confirmed to The AP that Carey gave birth today at 12.07pm EDT at an unknown hospital in Los Angeles.

The singer's daughter was born first, weighing 5lb 3oz, followed closely by a boy, weighing 5lb 6oz.

"My wife just gave me the most incredible anniversary gift ever in life!" Cannon tweeted earlier today. "I won't ever be able to top this!"

The comedian sat down for an interview with Ellen DeGeneres earlier this week, in which he revealed Carey was likely to give birth "at any minute".

The statement also revealed that the pair listened to Carey's 2005 single 'We Belong Together' shortly after the births.

Although the couple have yet to name the new arrivals, they are expected to renew their wedding vows tomorrow, having celebrated three years of marriage today.

Phot Credit : www.pinkisthenewblog.com

Mariah Carey giving birth to twins today?

Mariah Carey is said to be having her and husband Nick Cannon's twins today.

According to Extra, the 42-year-old booked a caesarean section to guarantee that she gives birth.

An insider claimed: "Hollywood baby bump watchers are whispering that the singer is scheduled to undergo a C-section at an L.A. area hospital on Friday."

Although the couple are yet to comment on the speculation, Cannon discussed the impending birth on The Talk yesterday.

The presenter admitted that Carey is ready to give birth, explaining: "How's [Mariah] doing? She's pregnant. She's doing amazing, but literally, it's any moment now. It's not even any day now… She is ready to just pop!

"The baby nurse and all that is ready. [The] bags are packed! I don't know why I'm here!"

Cannon added that Carey nearly went to the hospital on Wednesday as she thought she was going into labour.

Mariah Carey 'loves looking at twins' nursery'

Mariah Carey has revealed that she is in awe of the nursery she has created for her forthcoming twin babies.

The singer, who is expecting a boy and a girl with husband Nick Cannon, said that she "loves" the room that she's decorated for them.

She told Life & Style: "I wanted to create a beautiful, tranquil, cosy environment for the babies. Everything matches, but pieces are individualised to celebrate the twins as separate entities.

"The ceiling has orangey-pink clouds in a blue sky with golden stars twinkling. It's based on two songs I wrote that are fan favourites, 'Underneath the Stars' and 'Close My Eyes'.

"Sometimes I just sit in the nursery and stare at the ceiling because I love it so much. To me, it symbolises wanting my children to dream as big as possible and to let their imaginations be unbridled."

Carey, who is expecting the twins to arrive within the next few weeks, hopes that she will learn from her kids.

She added: "Being a mother is probably the hardest job in the world. I feel like, in a lot of ways, children come into the world to teach us.

"It's going to be a delicate balance between raising them around glitz and glamour and keeping them grounded. One thing I'm sure of is that I'll be grateful for the twins every day, no matter what."

How pregnant Mariah's private nude pic became game for the world to see

Nick Cannon has revealed that he did not plan to release the naked photo shoot of his pregnant wife Mariah Carey, but the picture 'turned out so beautiful' that they thought 'the world should see this'.

"That was a normal photo shoot, that wasn't really a photo shoot that we thought we were going to put out to the public," the New York Daily News quoted Cannon as telling E! News.

"It was something we did at home, in our bedroom - one light, nothing big, no hair and makeup ... And the pictures turned out so beautiful, we're like, 'the world should see this,' " Cannon added.

Cannon also participated in the photo shoot, but said he was less partial to his nude body being publicized.

"I don't know if people want to see me naked. Stick to Mariah. You don't want to see my butt all on the cover of a magazine. That's not fly," he added.

Pregnant Mariah Carey tweets pic of her painted belly

Pregnant Mariah Carey has tweeted a pic of her growing baby belly with a butterfly painted on it.

The painting has one pink wing and one blue, to symbolise the girl and boy that are due any day, reports Radaronline.com.

“My attempt festiveness on 327! For ATLITL thank u plus I?U! Comin soon #dembabies! LYMA+thanx 4 making me happy:)” she tweeted as a caption for the adorable pic on Monday.

The Grammy winning ‘Vision of Love singer’, in an earlier tweet, said she had been taken to the hospital for a false alarm on Sunday.

“So dembabies really wanted 2 celebrate w/us/share the anniversary! I started having contractions last night..went 2 the hospital ... They almost came on 3/27- happy anniversary in deed!!! We have a few more weeks 2 go but- wow!!!: ) soreadyallready!” she posted.

Mariah Carey 'thankful for pregnancy support'

Mariah Carey has said that the outpouring of well-wishes following her pregnancy announcement made her feel "warmth".

The 'Touch My Body' singer - who revealed in December that she was expecting twins with husband Nick Cannon - confessed to being pleasantly surprised by the absence of a backlash from her detractors within the general public.

She told BANG Showbiz: "Obviously I'm very thankful for this moment. Since Nick and I made our announcement, people have been very congratulatory.

"We didn't really want to talk about this yet, but I'm in the public eye and really didn't have a choice. So I'm just thankful I can go through this time and feel a lot of warmth. It's restored my faith in people a bit."

The couple first confirmed that they were expecting a baby back in October.

Balan, Ali Khan 'reunite on new project'

Vidya Balan is to work on a new production alongside Saif Ali Khan.

Balan, who won critical acclaim for her work opposite the actor in Parineeta, will feature with Khan in a new project, reports NDTV.

A source revealed that the two stars would share screen space in Dream Sequence: "Initially, Deepika Padukone was to do the role. The casting of the duo together after Love Aaj Kal had its appeal.

"But the actress begged off when she heard that the chote nawab was having second thoughts and that Abhay Deol would fill in for him."
The project is to release under Balaji Motion pictures and will be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.

"The actress, director and producer are keen to work together in this film and are currently working on the dates, " added the source.

Mariah Carey 'enjoyed working with mother'

Mariah Carey has described the "lovely experience" of working with her mother on her latest album, and hopes to record more material with her in the future.

Patricia Carey - who usually performs opera - recorded vocals on her daughter's festive compilation Merry Christmas II You, on the tracks 'O Come All Ye Faithful' and 'Halleluiah Chorus'.

Mariah revealed to People that there may be more duets between the pair in the future: "Many people know that my mother is a trained opera singer, so I guess it was only a matter of time before we both got onto a record together.

"It was a lovely experience being in the studio together, and I'm very happy that I have this documented for the rest of my life."

Is Mariah Carey pregnant with twins?

Pregnant star Mariah Carey referred to her unborn child as 'they' in an upcoming interview with Radio Disney, sparking rumours that she and husband Nick Cannon are expecting twins.

While discussing her new album Merry Christmas II You, the 40-year-old singer revealed she began recording the album after finding out she was pregnant, reports the Daily Mail.

"I just hope that they don''t turn out hating Christmas!" she joked to Radio Disney''s Ernie in a radio interview to be aired on Tuesday.

Carey, who has not revealed her due date, kept her bump well hidden during a performance at New York''s Rockefeller Centre.

Mariah Carey 'in talks to get U.S. 'X Factor' slot over Cheryl Cole'

Mariah Carey is said to be in negotiations to become a judge on The US X Factor, shattering Cheryl Cole's dreams to build her profile in the US.

The 'Vision Of Love' singer is in talks to join the judging panel - ending months of speculation that Cheryl was a main contender for the role.

Mariah, 40, has told show bosses she will take the job if filming dates fit in with her work schedules.

Cowell was reported earlier this month of trying to persuade Fox TV executives that Cheryl was perfect for the show.

"Look, I've said I'd love Cheryl out there but whether it will happen, who knows?" the Mirror quoted him as saying last night.

"Mariah Carey would be an amazing addition to the US show. And she's exactly the right calibre of star that we want for the show.

"I can't say more because it's too early and I can't say. But there will be surprises," he said.

However, a source in the US reveals: "The Fox executives are totally against Cheryl joining the panel.

"Simon has put her forward and is trying to persuade them she's perfect for the job.

"But they're saying that together with her accent being difficult to understand, and nobody knowing who she is, she doesn't have the star qualities to draw in an ­audience.

"They are going to be competing with American Idol's star-studded panel of Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and J-Lo, and Cheryl just doesn't cut it compared to them. She's not a name.

"While Simon may want Cheryl he understands Fox's insistence that he delivers a strong panel to bring viewers, and therefore advertising, in and make as much money as they can," the source said.

The source adds: "Mariah Carey's people say she's fully behind the idea and they're very interested in taking talks further. Mariah has already had the initial meeting with Fox so she will more than likely take the spot Simon wanted for Cheryl."

Mariah Carey 'in wheelchair after fall'

Mariah Carey has been spotted at Los Angeles International Airport in a wheelchair after suffering a fall.

The singer was performing in Singapore last weekend when her stiletto shoes caused her to tumble on stage and hurt her ankle, reports E Online.

"Mariah twisted her ankle in Singapore and should have packed more sensible shoes, but she doesn't have any," said her rep Cindi Berger.

"I'm sending her a pair of flats today."

Carey laughed off the incident on Sunday via her Twitter page, writing: "TY SO much to my fans in Singapore!!! Yeah, several hectic moments, (lol!) but I tried to swirl them into festive!

Mariah Carey falls on stage

Mariah Carey has fallen on stage during a gig in Singapore.

The singer - rumoured to be pregnant - was performing to over 100,000 guests at the Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix event yesterday.

In a YouTube clip, the 'Obsessed' star is seen singing her hit song 'Make It Happen' when she slips over in her stiletto heels.

Carey was then caught by one of her backing dancers as she told the crowd: "Hold up, I want someone to help me take these shoes off. I wasn't supposed to be wearing them!"

She then continued singing while ushering her assistant to come out on stage and help her remove the shoes.

Carey, who sang a string of her biggest hits at the event, including 'Dreamlover, 'My All' and 'Hero', recently said that she will announce her pregnancy "when the time is right".

Carey and Cannon 'keeping baby a secret'

Mariah Carey is said to be keeping her reported pregnancy a secret.

The singer, who is believed to be four months gone, and her husband Nick Cannon have apparently only shared the news with close friends and family.

An insider told RadarOnline: "Nick has been telling friends how excited he is to be a dad."

According to reports, Carey is delighted to be having a baby after trying to conceive for a long time.

Another source said: "Mariah has tried so hard to get pregnant. She's very excited. She wants to wait as close to full-term as possible before going public with the news to her fans."

MJ will be remembered forever

Mariah Carey has paid tribute to Michael Jackson on the first anniversary of his death.

The 'I Want To Know What Love Is' singer was overcome with emotion when she performed 'I'll Be There' at a memorial service in Los Angeles for the star last year.

"Watching "You are not alone"..Love and Prayers to MJ "King of Pop". You will be remembered forever. We miss you (sic), " she wrote on Twitter.

The 40-year-old is reportedly interested in purchasing Jackson's former living room set.

Mariah Carey 'sued for unpaid pet bills'

Mariah Carey has been sued by her veterinarian over $30,000 (£20,006) worth of unpaid bills, according to reports.

Veterinarian Cindy Bressler filed the claim in a New York City court on Wednesday alleging that the singer paid only $8,200 (£5,468) of the roughly $37,800 (£25,206) worth of charges for care provided to her three dogs, reports The AP.

Bressler, who caters to "prominent New Yorkers and celebrity clients", said that the bills cover only a month of services.

Carey's spokeswoman did not return calls for comment.

Nick Cannon denies Mariah pregnancy claims

Nick Cannon has denied the recent rumours that his wife Mariah Carey is expecting.

The singer's withdrawal from new film For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf earlier this week sparked speculation that she is pregnant.

US Weekly quotes Cannon as saying: "Her schedule is starting to calm down, you never know. In the next year or two, the rumours might come true."

Carey's rep added: "She is not doing the movie because her doctor advised her not to. More than that I cannot comment further."

However, Cannon did announce that their dog Zha Zha is pregnant with a litter of puppies.

"I do want to make a big announcement... Russell terrier puppy Zha Zha is pregnant again!" he said.

Mariah Carey And Nick Cannon's Eventful Weekend

Stepping out for an evening of sport, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were spotted at the Mayweather vs. Mosley fight in Las Vegas on Saturday (May 1).

The “Touch My Body” babe and her handsome hubby looked to be having a great time as they enjoyed their primo seats.

The day before, Mariah and Nick held their third wedding ceremony so far, renewing their vows at their Beverly Hills home.

Celebrating their second wedding anniversary, Cannon told press, "We get married every year! That's our thing. [This one will] be more traditional...The last two weddings we had were kind of island-driven and off in remote places. This time we're going to do it home."

He added, "I have to do it every single year. If you were married to Mariah Carey, you'd want to marry her every year too! I just have to keep doing it to make sure it's real."

Dream Keeper Dazzler

Getting all glammed up for a public appearance, Mariah Carey made her way to the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers in New York City on Thursday night (April 15).

Clad in a sexy little black dress, the Grammy winning singer was on-hand for the 12th Annual Keepers of the Dream Awards, which "recognizes exemplary displays of committed service to the tenets of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the ultimate dreamer."

Aside from her Dream Keeper outing, Miss Carey has reportedly signed on to star alongside Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Phylicia Rashad, Anika Noni Rose and Loretta Devine in Tyler Perry's new movie.

According to Mr Perry, the film will be shot in New York City this summer for an expected release in late 2010 or early 2011.

As for the new flick, it's an adaptation of a play by Ntozake Shange written in 1975, with Tyler telling press, "Making a film of four colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enough is a dream come true for me."