Mariah Carey - $18 Million Makes Mariah Carey Top Paid Talent Show Judge

This morning, it was reported that Carey was getting $12 million for her judging efforts - the same fee that Lopez landed in her first year on American Idol. Now, though, US Weekly have revealed that Mariah will, in fact, be getting $18 million. An insider told the publication "Mariah is getting paid $18 million with a one-year option to do Idol, making her the highest paid judge on any music competition show." It's an impressive mark-up on the $10 million that Christina Aguilera's getting for The Voice and even bests Britney Spears' $16 million for Us X Factor.

Carey's position on the American Idol judging panel was confirmed yesterday. In a statement about the position, she said "As a singer, songwriter and producer, it's going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back to American Idol. 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."