Who will be the next judge on "X-Factor"? Britney Spears ... Demi Lovato ... Miley Cyrus ... Chaka Khan ... er, what?

That's right ... sources close to the Queen of Funk tell TMZ ... Chaka is throwing her hat in the ring to snag one of two vacant spots on Simon Cowell's hit talent show.

We're told Chaka -- who has 10 Grammy awards -- is dying to be considered for the lucrative gig and instructed her people to reach out to producers of the show, claiming to be perfect for the part ... toting her 40 plus years of experience in the biz.

Don't get too excited funk fans ... there's no word on whether she's actually been called back. 

But we're sure her phone will be ringing any ... minute ... now ...

Chaka Khan just signed herself up for the most stressful years in a parent's life -- agreeing to take permanent custody of her 10-year-old granddaughter ... TMZ has learned.

According to new docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court, the order went through Wednesday -- granting Chaka permanent guardianship over her granddaughter Daija Jade Holland. Chaka's sister Tammy McCrary was awarded co-guardianship.

TMZ broke the story ... Chaka won temporary custody back in September -- claiming the girl's parents (including her son) are drug addicts ... and are incapable of taking care of her.

A sad story ... with a happy ending.

Chaka Khan just won temporary custody of her 10-year-old granddaughter because the child's parents are drug addicts -- this according to legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Chaka filed a petition for appointment of guardianship last week -- claiming she has already "assumed on a day-to-day basis the role of the child's parent fulfilling both the child's physical and psychological needs for care and affection."

Chaka claims the child's mother -- who lives in the same house -- is incapable of caring for the girl because of a "heavy involvement in drugs."

Chaka's sister Tammy McCrary -- who was also awarded custody -- filed an additional statement in the petition, claiming Chaka's son "also uses and abuses drugs and other illegal substances."

The judge temporarily granted the petition for custody on September 6th ... and extended it today. A hearing is set for October to make it permanent.

Chaka Khan went to Hawaii -- and all she got was a lousy lawsuit ... after the singer allegedly stiffed a production company out of thousands of dollars stemming from an island concert back in Jan.



Long story short -- Chaka hired 15/40 productions to take care of, among other things, the audio and video equipment for her performance at the 2010 Sony Open.

But 15/40 claims Chaka only paid half of their $10k fee ... so they filed a lawsuit in L.A. small claims court demanding $5,000 ASAP.

The judge eventually sided with 15/40 -- and ordered Chaka to pay up. So far, we're told the production company is still waiting for their check.

Calls to Chaka's reps were not returned.

Music divas Chaka Khan and Sheila E. frizzed out at a charity event in Santa Monica this weekend.


Question is ...

I feel for you, Chaka Khan -- and your steel-belted radial Michelin chic.

The 55-year-old R&B diva performed in Sydney this weekend, looking tired!

Chaka Khan lost one of her earrings at LAX ... um, did anyone tell her to check her hair?

The real Patti LaBelle, Wynonna Judd and Chaka Khan showed up to a charity gala in L.A. on Sunday.

It's nice to see RuPaul is still inspiring people in Hollywood.

Ain't nobody like Chaka Khan!

The divalicious 54-year-old legend surfaced at LAX on Monday, sporting a gorgeous purple weave, a slimming black travel ensemble of oversized shirt and leggings, and a pair of rainbow colored lunar Uggs. La da di, la da da!

Tell me something good about this look!