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It’s official: Mariah Carey is the latest successful pop diva to join American Idol!

The 42-year-old will join the judges table for season 12. Her salary is expected to be somewhere north of $12 million — the sum paid Jennifer Lopez during her first year on the show — and possibly as high as $17 million.

Wowza! Go Mimi!

“It’s the biggest recording artist than any of these [singing competition] shows have ever had,” Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly told critics at their press tour in Beverly Hills on Monday. “It’s an artist many of these contestants have tried to emulate.”

The addition of Mimi comes on the heels of Steven Tyler quitting the show, and Fox being unable to convince Jennifer Lopez to sign on for a third round. Lopez was holding out for a raise beyond her $15 million second-year salary.

As of now, Randy Jackson (who is also Carey’s manager) is now expected to stay on board, though nothing has yet been announced.

Either way, Fox is expected to now focus on its search for another male judge. According to reports, former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert is being considered.

What do you think of Mariah joining the show? Will she improve Idol‘s ratings?

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A new poll from Billboard.com has crowned an unlikeley pair as the Sexiest Man and Women in Music. Despite the combination, there is no doubt that Billboard voter’s choice of the current X Factor Judge, Britney Spears, and American Idol star, Adam Lambert was a good one. It’s hard to disagree that Adam and Britney are sexy!

In the poll that brought in over 600,000 votes, Spears earned 45% of the vote for sexiest female, followed by Lady Gaga with 12% of the vote and Beyonce in 3rd with 8% of the vote. Adam Lambert took 26% of the votes for sexiest male, beating out Maroon 5′s Adam Levine into second place with 12%, while Justin Bieber placed third with 10%.

What do you guys think!? Do you agree with the final vote?

Micah Jesse Interviewing Adam Lambert on MC's "The F Word"

Glam rock singer Adam Lambert sat down with MC’s “The F Word” to talk about fame, fans, being a role model and much much more!

You can see MJ chatting with  Adam on the red carpet at the OUT 100 Awards — at the 3:00 min mark! Check out the interview:

PHOTO: Jason Kempin/Getty Images North America via Zimbio

Ricky Martin looked like a million bucks at the opening night festivities for his “Evita” Broadway gig at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Martin has been working hard and is ready to show off his stage skills!

Kid Cudi spotted on the mic hyping the crowd from the DJ booth at boutique Hollywood nightclub AGENCY Tuesday, as Fernando Garibay, official musical director for Lady Gaga during the making of album “Born This Way,” played an entrancing DJ set.

Mad Men’s Jon Hamm and John Slattery sawing into steaks at Ben Benson’s with NBC’s Brian Williams, Al Roker, Today Show Producer Jim Bell, PR Man Jon Harris and Andy Ostroy of the Adrienne Shelly Foundation. Ben Benson himself came out to greet the crew, who gathered for a charitable lunch to benefit the Foundation.

CMT star Melissa Rycroft kicked off her heels and slipped into some chic and comfy Crocs at The Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas this weekend for some much needed R&R with her family – husband, Tye Strickland and daughter, Ava Grace. Ava Marie was spotted in Croc’s Keely shoes in a Navy/Pink Lemonade.

Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal were spotted out and about in the big apple this week. The stud and his pregnant sister walked through Chinatown while the paparazzi captured some good shots! Nothing like some sibling bonding!

Kim Kardashian goes west…no pun intended. The reality star was spotted at JFK airport catching a flight out of NYC back to good ol’ LA! She looked cute and casual wearing a printed white top and a big smile as well!

FOR MORE STAR SIGHTINGS THIS WEEK, KEEP READING…

Stars like Kelly Osbourne, Kate Mara, Shay Mitchell, Erin Andrews, Joan Rivers,Alexandra Chando, Kelly Bensimon and Coco Rocha all attended the Badgley Mischka Fall 2012 Runway Show for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week! The event took place at the Theater at Lincoln Center and what an event it was!

Stacey Bendet, Kristin Chenoweth, Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Kevin Jonas, Danielle Jonas, Krysten Ritter, Ahna O’Rielly, Megan Hilty, Kelly Rutherford, Angela Simmons, Kelly Bensimon and Erin Andrews were spotted at the Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet presentation with music by Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe. It was held at Center 548 in the Big Apple and was a big deal!

The Empire Hotel has been home to fashionista Whitney Port while last minute prepping for her Whitney Eve show tomorrow. She was spotted in the hotel lobby and seemed extremely friendly as she stopped to take photos with fans!

Kris Humphries showed up to Stone Rose Lounge for the tail end of the Betsey Johnson Fall 2012 After-Party last night. He arrived with four guy friends, still wearing his coat and scarf inside the Time Warner Center. Betsey Johnson took the mic and gave a shout out to guests Kris and Richie Rich before making fun of herself for the “less than great cartwheel,” she attempted on stage at her show.

EXTRA’s beautiful Maria Menounos stopped by lia Sophia this week as did many other famous faces including Adrienne Bailon, Carrie Keagan, Brad Goreski, Miss J Alexander, Jenna Bush and Louise Roe. With MBFW bringing out the most fashionable stars, Lia Sophia seemed to be a stop on everyone’s list!

Bar Refaeli and Stacy Keibler (girlfriend of actor George Clooney) were both spotted at the Marchesa Fall 2012 Fashion Show checking out some hot new styles. The two sat next to one another which, may have drawn more attention then the presentation!

KEEP READING FOR MORE STAR SIGHTINGS THIS WEEK…

Adam Lambert really brings the drama in his new music video for “Better Than I Know Myself.”

In the music video, there are two versions of the former American Idol: a calm and charming guy with gorgeous baby blue eyes and then an unbalanced, pomegranate-ripping, leather-wearing Adam, whose heavily made-up eyes flash dangerously as he sets the whole place on fire.

The video could be about a former lover — but we think it has more to do with coming to terms and understanding his own personality.

Watch the video now and decide for yourself:

CLICK THE IMAGE & WATCH THE 'WILLOW SMITH' EPISODE OF 'SPEAKING OF!'

On the last and final episode of “Speaking Of” (on Music Choice on-demand) for 2011, MJ was heating up the red carpet at the annual OUT100 Awards and Z-100 Jingle Ball in NYC and bringing you along for the ride as his “Plus 1!”

At the annual OUT100 Awards in New York City, Micah Jesse caught up with funnywoman Kathy Griffin, singer Adam Lambert, talk show host Wendy Williams, and “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson, all of whom were honored for being visionaries and supporters of the LGBT community.

Then it was on the annual Z-100 Jingle Ball, presented by Aeropostale, where MJ caught up with a dazzling Khloe Kardashian Odom, David Guetta, LMFAO frontman Travie McCoy, newbies Karmin and “New Years Eve” actress Abigail Breslin about everything from New Years plans and resolutions, to, of course, music!

CLICK HERE to catch the Willow Smith episode of “Speaking Of” or watch it on your TV … on Music Choice on-demand!