American Idol

Mariah Carey was a "nightmare to work with" during her brief stint as a guest mentor on "American Idol" in 2008 -- this according to sources on the show.

Sources tell TMZ, Mariah -- who made her mentor cameo on "Idol" Season 7 -- was incredibly late for her shoot at the Beverly Hills Hotel," not very nice at all," and ridiculously nitpicky about tiny details.

In contrast, the same sources agree J.Lo was a pleasure -- "night and day" compared to Mariah. We're told J.Lo was all about business, in and out, no mess, no fuss.

4:55 PM PT -- Mariah Carey will actually make a record $18 MILLION for her first year on "American Idol" -- more than J.Lo made before her ... and more than Britney on "X Factor."

It's official ... Mariah Carey has joined "American Idol."

The announcement was made moments ago at the TV Critics Association Summer Press tour in Beverly Hills.

The 42-year-old singer is rumored to have signed a deal worth $12 million for her first year ... the same amount of $$$ Jennifer Lopez made during her first year with the show.

Jon Bon Jovi's ass will not be sliding into Jennifer Lopez's old seat at the judge's table on the next season of "American Idol" ... this according to sources extremely close to the singer.

Lopez threw Bon Jovi's name into the mix during her farewell media blitz this week ... telling ABC News she'd like to see someone like Jon ... or Mick Jagger or Bono take over her spot.

But one Bon Jovi source, who is definitely in a position to know, tells TMZ ... "With all systems go for a new album and a mega-tour on the horizon, Jon wouldn't be able to give those aspiring singers the guidance they deserve."

The source adds, "Jon wouldn't commit to anything unless he can give 100%. With planning for the next album already underway, he's focused on the band."

The search continues ...

If "American Idol" wants Mariah Carey to be one of their new judges, they are going to have to break the bank ... this according to Mr. Carey himself, Nick Cannon.

Mariah is one of the big names that has surfaced since Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler announced they were not coming back to "Idol" next season.

Cannon told our photog yesterday that it's going to take a HUGE payday to get Mimi to fill Lopez's vacant seat. He told us, "I don't know if they can afford Mariah Carey. That's a lot of money. If they gave JLo $20 million, they might have to double that!"

Money seems to be an ongoing theme when it comes to divas and singing shows. As TMZ previously reported, Britney Spears based her "X Factor" salary on what JLo made on "Idol" (which we hear is less than the $20 mil Cannon seems to think).

With "American Idol" judges dropping like flies, it's quite interesting that Randy Jackson caught up with old pal Simon Cowell over dinner in West Hollywood last night.

The former co-workers posed for a pic with a fan before grabbing a little late dinner at Ceconni's, showing up around 11:30 PM. It's unclear what the topic of conversation was, but we're told Randy and Simon have remained good friends since Simon jumped ship in 2010.

Dry your tears, "Idol" fans -- Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez are out, but something even better might be in store for you ... Aretha Franklin is officially putting her hat in the ring to be the next judge.

The Queen of Soul herself sent out an email Saturday saying, "Yes, I am interested as a judge," when asked about a future role in the singing competition.

The 18-time Grammy winner would come as a replacement judge for the next season after both Tyler and Lopez bowed out last week.

Neither Fox, nor Freemantle Media -- the honchos behind "Idol" -- have commented on the legendary singer's interest ... yet.

Jennifer Lopez just announced ... she will NOT be returning to "American Idol" next season.

JLo called in to Ryan Seacrest this morning, saying, "I honestly feel like the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do."

She said, "Something has to give" ... adding, "We had an amazing run."

Obviously, producers now have to make a decision that will make or break the show.

Steven Tyler will NOT return to the judge's table on "American Idol" ... and has compared the show to a deranged bunny killer.

Tyler completed two full seasons on the show ... beginning in 2010.

Tyler has issued a statement saying, "After some long ... hard ... thoughts ... I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit.”

The comment is a reference to the movie "Fatal Attraction" ... in which an obsessed woman kills her lover's daughter's pet rabbit.

Tyler continued, "I strayed from my first love, AEROSMITH, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass – the ultimate in auditory takeover."

He adds, "On Nov. 6, we are unleashing our new album, Music from Another Dimension on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and way beyond the stars. IDOL was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it ... Now it’s time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD.”

"A.I." co-creator and executive producer Simon Fuller released a statement saying, "I completely understand his desire to get back to his life as the singer in America's greatest-ever rock band. AMERICAN IDOL will miss him!”

Jennifer Lopez is telling friends ... she HAS NOT made up her mind on her future with "American Idol" ... and WILL NOT make a decision until after she finishes her current concert tour with Enrique Iglesias.

There are reports Jennifer has already informed producers she's a no-go to return to the judge's table next season ... but sources close to J.Lo tell us the reports are absolutely not true.

We're told Jennifer wants to "see where things are in her life" when the concert ends.

Translation: If Jen's popularity is UP after the tour and she has more options, she's more likely to bounce off the show. If she's not ... "Idol" ain't a bad fallback gig.

It wouldn't be the first time J.Lo waited 'til the last minute -- last year, she held out until late August and finally gave in when producers reportedly agreed to fork over $20 mil for a 1-year deal.

Lopez appeared on the "Today" show this morning ... and said she's "torn" about the decision ... but notes, "I think it’s time for me to go.”

Charlie Sheen tells TMZ, he's 100% on board to judge the next season of "American Idol" -- but there are several conditions that must be met before he signs the dotted line.

As TMZ first reported, "Idol" Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe told us he would LOVE to have Charlie Sheen and Jerry Lewis as judges for season 12. Nigel would not say if he was joking ... but he repeated his wish list several times during the conversation.

CONDITION #1. Charlie says FX -- the network that airs his show "Anger Management" -- must sign off on an "Idol" deal ... but Jennifer Lopez proved, being on A.I. can be good for business.

CONDITION #2. Charlie says the money has to be right: "If the numbers move the needle AND 'Idol' matches 20% of my weekly salary for Autism Speaks, JDRF, and the Boys and Girls Club ... then the hell with it. As we say, pour the smoke."

That's Charlie-speak for "Why the hell not?"

"American Idol" producers are sending feelers out every which way as a "very preliminary" step in deciding what the make-up of the show will be for Season 12 ... sources tell TMZ ... but Nigel Lythgoe has laid it on the line -- he wants CHARLIE SHEEN and JERRY LEWIS on the judge's panel.

There have been numerous reports that Adam Lambert, Katy Perry, Fergie, Miley Cyrus and others are being courted, but we've learned Fremantle -- the company that produces "Idol" has a new head -- and nothing has been decided.

We're told producers believe they still have a chance of re-signing Jennifer Lopez -- whom they want badly. Our sources say the process of deciding who will be on the show is like a giant jigsaw puzzle. If Lopez goes away, then certain replacements would make sense and others would not. If Steven Tyler or Randy Jackson say bye bye, then a different set of replacements would make sense.

We're told feelers are being sent out wide, so producers have options depending on which judges return. But they are "far" from making any decisions.

Former "American Idol" contestant Corey Clark -- who is more famous for being kicked off the show than actually being on it -- is suing MTV for defamation after he claims one of their reporters repeatedly badmouthed him ... and he wants a whopping $40 MILLION for his troubles.

Hard to believe, but it's been over nine years since Clark was booted from "Idol" after making the top 10 ... because producers claimed he failed to disclose a recent arrest. Two years later ... Clark claimed to have had an affair with "Idol" judge Paula Abdul.

But Clark claims that when it came to reporting on him, MTV News (and one writer in specific) referred to him as a "degenerate," accused him of lying about the charges against him, and even urged readers to boycott his music. Mission accomplished on that one.

Clark says he was ridiculed by MTV for his relationship with Abdul, accusing him of making it up. He still maintains it happened.

Clark describes MTV's practices as "abusing the constitutional privledges of 'freedom of the press' ... with the intent to permanently impair his state property rights and decimate his mental well-being."

More bad news for "American Idol" champ Phillip Phillips -- his family's Georgia pawn shop was burglarized last night after someone used a backhoe to smash open the back door.

Sources connected to the investigation tell us ... the bad guy (or guys) took more than $4,000 worth of merchandise ... including hand guns, flat screen TVs, antique coins, necklaces, rings and the ENTIRE CASH REGISTER.

We're told the register only had $110 inside at the time.

Law enforcement believes the power and phone lines to the store were cut before the burglary and the backhoe (a piece of heavy machinery used in construction) was hotwired and stolen from a nearby job site.

We're told roughly 25 cop cars responded to the scene to hunt for the perps -- but so far, no arrests have been made.

"American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips was in far worse condition than anyone thought before he went under the knife ... TMZ has learned.

The good news ... we're told Phillip will be released from the hospital today after undergoing more than 6 hours of major surgery for massive kidney stones.

It turns out ... the stent that was placed in Phillip's kidney was there way too long -- so long, it became embedded in his body. It became so bad, surgeons had to cut the stent out with a laser.

Doctors say the surgery was successful, so Phillip will be recovering in a Malibu mansion thanks to one of the "American Idol" honchos who is letting the "A.I." winner use his pad.

Phillip is hoping to be fully recovered by July 6th ... which is when the Idol tour officially kicks off in Detroit.

Phillip says, "If I can sing with all those kidney stones in me, I can make the first date."

Phillip Phillips finally went under the knife to remove the enormous kidney stones that almost derailed his run to the "American Idol" title ... TMZ has learned.

We're told Phillip had the 6 and a half hour long surgery in L.A. yesterday -- and he is recovering well today. The stones that were removed were so huge there was no chance he could've passed them on his own.

As TMZ first reported, Phil was scheduled to have the surgery last week ... but it was delayed because he had a fever and sinus infection.

Phillip suffered through excruciating pain during the entire season of 'Idol.' It obviously paid off.

Oh what a relief.

9:05 AM PT -- Phillip's rep says the surgery went well, adding, "He's resting and will be ready for the Idol tour kickoff in July!"

Katrina Darrell -- the girl who infamously auditioned for "American Idol" back in 2009 wearing just a bikini -- insists ... she isn't a drunk hit-and-runner ... pleading "not guilty" to DUI today.

TMZ broke the story ... Katrina was charged last month with one count of DUI and two counts of misdemeanor hit-and-run, stemming from her March arrest.

As we reported, Katrina was busted in L.A. after allegedly running a red light and smashing into another car. According to police, Katrina attempted to flee the scene ... but was pulled over down the street by a cop who heard the crash.

Back at the police station, an officer administered a breathalyzer -- and Katrina allegedly blew roughly twice the legal limit in California.