Music superstar Mariah Carey has been confirmed as one of the new judges on US smash hit show American Idol.

Show bosses, Fox, confirmed the appointment of the high pitched screamer yesterday with Carey’s fee reported to be in the region of $15 million PER SEASON! That’s a massive £9.6 million to us English folk.

Mariah, who is married to America’s Got Talent presenter Nick Cannon, has filled one of the vacant seats left by the recently departed viewers favourites Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. The ‘Heartbreaker’ singer spoke of her excitement upon landing the job, “I am so excited to be joining ‘Idol,” she said “This kind of all just happened really quickly. I can’t wait to get started in the fall … and I will see you in January.” Meanwhile Fox Cheif Executive Kevin Reilly couldnt find enough superlatives to describe the singer saying “She is the biggest recording artist that any of these (talent) shows has ever had and she is the artist that many of these contestants have tried to emulate, have tried some of the songs, have tried to hit the notes”.

Music mogul and entertainment mastermind Simon Cowell, who wanted Mariah for his X Factor USA panel last season, also spoke about his rival show’s aquisition, he said “I’m happy for her, actually. I like Mariah. I think she’s going to find it difficult to say no. You’ve got to say no to people and she’s sweet”.

So what do you think? After much speculation, one of the judging roles has been filled. Is Mariah the right choice? If not, who would you have had? Let us kow your thoughts….