Nicki Minaj will reportedly serve as a new judge on American Idol's upcoming twelfth season.
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"I'm not sure the deal is completely done yet, but yes, she is definitely doing it," a source told Us Weekly. "A few more slight things to sign off on but it is happening."
Minaj is "100% percent confirmed to judge American Idol," added another source.
Fox and Minaj's representatives reportedly declined comment on the singer and rapper's alleged participation.
On Friday, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Idol producers have been eyeing Minaj to be a judge on the show alongside Mariah Carey and she'd potentially be part of a four-person judging panel which would also include two open spots for a Latin and country artist. Enrique Iglesias and Keith Urban are reportedly the frontrunners for those two seats on the panel respectively.
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However, a conflict in endorsement deals apparently threw a wrench in Idol's plans to get Minaj onboard, according to The Reporter, as Minaj recently became the new face of Pepsi while Coke has sponsored American Idol -- at the reported price of $26 million a year -- since the singing competition's first season in 2002.
According to prior reports, Sean "Diddy" Combs is reportedly also being considered to judge American Idol's next season. In addition, Nick Jonas recently verified he's been in talks to serve on the show's judging panel, while around the same time, reports surfaced that singer Pharrell Williams was also close to inking an Idol deal.
American Idol judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler confirmed they'd be leaving the show in July. Whether fellow judge Randy Jackson will reprise his judging role remains unclear, although recent reports have suggested he may move to a mentoring role instead.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski