Mariah Carey - Nick Cannon: 'American Idol Can't Afford Mariah Carey'

Idol bosses are currently looking for replacement panellists following the departure of Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez, who confirmed her exit on Friday (13Jul12) after two seasons as a judge.

Carey is rumoured to be in talks to take over from Lopez, but her husband insists TV bosses will have to double Lopez's rumoured $20 million (£12.5 million) salary if they want to get Carey on board.

Cannon tells Tmz.com, "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!... You never know, it's one of things, she's got an album coming out so there's promotional stuff..."

When asked whether talks are taking place, Cannon replies coyly, "Everybody wanna (sic) talk to her."