Mariah Carey Joins AMERICAN IDOL's Judges Panel

Mariah Carey, one of the best-selling female recording artists of all time, has joined AMERICAN IDOL as a new judge. A five-time Grammy Award-winning global superstar with more than 200 million records sold worldwide and more No. 1 songs than any solo artist in history, her 18 Billboard No. 1 singles (17 of which Carey wrote) rival all but The Beatles. Carey joins the judges' panel when AMERICAN IDOL returns in January 2013 on FOX.

"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," said Mariah Carey. "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."

"We are proud to have one of the world's greatest-ever female singers join our show," said IDOL creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. "Mariah defines the word 'Idol' and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her."

"Mariah Carey is a global icon whose list of musical accomplishments is unprecedented," said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia. "Having sold more than 200 million records worldwide, she's a true artist, ideally suited to identify and nurture AMERICAN IDOL's next great music superstars. We warmly welcome her to the IDOL family."

"Mariah Carey is the real deal. Not only is she one of the best-selling artists and performers on the planet and one of the world's most gifted vocalists, she also is a successful songwriter, record producer and actress," said Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company. "She has a deep knowledge of music and a career insight that will make her a really amazing asset to our judges' table and to our contestants. It's the dream of almost everyone who auditions for IDOL to sing like Mariah and we couldn't be happier to have her be part of the show."

With a distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting and producing talent, Carey has defined the modern pop performance. As a singer/songwriter/producer, she has been recognized with five Grammy Awards, nine American Music Awards, Billboard's Artist of the Decade Award, the World Music Award for World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium and BMI's Icon Award, to name a few. She has two consecutive and unparalleled Billboard Song of the Decade titles: "One Sweet Day" (with Boyz II Men); and "We Belong Together," further marking her massive presence on the charts since her 1990 song debut "Vision of Love." Mariah became the second artist in history and the first female performer to have a song debut at No. 1 with "Fantasy" (1995), the groundbreaking collaboration with O.D.B. of the innovative rap group Wu-Tang Clan. Carey's original holiday classic, "All I Want For Christmas is You," redefined its place in pop culture as one of the greatest holiday hits of all time when it reached