American Idol judge Mariah Carey thinks motherhood is a ‘blessing’

Mariah Carey

The 'Hero' singer - who has 20-month-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with her husband Nick Cannon - never expected she would have kids so loves spoiling them rotten and exposing them to the benefits of her showbiz lifestyle.

She gushed: "Every moment is incredible and a blessing. I was performing in Sydney and I brought them out on stage because I want them to have these experiences. Some might disagree with that, but I know Monroe especially was going to love it. She didn't want to get off the stage.

"[Motherhood's] an amazing thing I never thought I'd experience because I always said I don't think I'd do it because my career was always my life, but when you find the right person."

The 42-year-old star find juggling her parenting duties with her 'American Idol' judging role a challenge, but admits it's far easier than the hectic months when she's in the studio working on new music.

She told Britain's OK! magazine: "It's super difficult. It's really exhausting, but this isn't the most exhausting part. The best part is when everything runs smoothly and you come to work, do your job and go home like more of a normal person than someone who's in a studio for 18 hours, which would be me."

Mariah Carey admits she and her fellow ‘American Idol’ judges often argue

Carey with the other judges 
from American Idol

While the singer had a huge bust-up with Nicki Minaj during the audition stages of the popstar search show, Mariah admitted all four judges, including Keith Urban and Randy Jackson, have disagreements about the contestants.

She told E! News: "We have to go against each other sometimes to say, 'But wait, this person has something amazing! Maybe you're not seeing it. It's a little bit beyond your comprehension at this moment, but there's something great about this person.'"

However, they don’t always disagree.

She added: "We're also unanimous about a lot of great people that are here! We're excited about the people that are here right now. We all feel that they're above average in talent and personality."

While Nicki found it easy to reject contestants during the auditions, she has struggled to do so as the series progresses.

She explained: "The human side of you comes out eventually, when you're looking at people that are this close to fulfilling their dream and in their head they have already seen it come to fruition, so saying no, it's like a dagger."

Mariah Carey hopes her 'American Idol' feud with fellow judge Nicki Minaj will be good for the show's ratings

Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey

The 42-year-old songstress - who went head-to-head with the 'Starships' rapper on the judging panel of the show last October, with Nicki at one point threatening to shoot the 'Hero' singer and filming having to be called off - has revealed she felt extremely unsafe after their argument and confirmed she hired extra security after it.

She told Barbara Walters in a new interview with ABC News: "It felt like an unsafe work environment. Anytime anybody's reeling threats at somebody, you know, it's not appropriate."

"I'm a professional. I'm not used to that type of environment," before revealing that she hired extra body guards because she felt it "was the appropriate thing to do."

She added: "Sitting there on the road with two babies, I'm not going to take any chances."

Mariah is one of the three new judges to join the reality TV show's judging panel for its new season, which kicks off on January 16.

And the singer admitted that she hopes her battle with Nicki will help to boost the show's ratings.
She said: "For all the drama, I hope it helps the show."

Mariah's husband Nick Cannon previously insisted he "wasn't concerned" Nicki would be a threat to his wife's safety.

He said: "I wasn't concerned. That's exactly what you called it - drama. With drama, it's theatrics. I'm not worried about that stuff.

"I wasn't there. It made for good news. It sounded good, right? Good job, Fox!"

Mariah Carey’s husband convinced her to join the ‘American Idol’ panel

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

The ‘Hero’ singer admitted she was initially wary of taking a role on the judging panel of the pop star search show but ‘America’s Got Talent’ host Nick Cannon talked her into it.

She said: “He really wanted me to do this. I had my own kind of reservations about it because I didn’t know how I would adapt to the situation. It’s a huge deal."

However, Mariah admitted she would have hated to be a contestant on the show when she was first starting out.

She said: "I get really attached to certain people for different reasons whether it’s their story or what it mainly is is talent. Sometimes I see myself in some of the contestants when I first started and I’m glad I didn’t have to do a show like this. I would have hated it!

"It’s been really fun. We’re still in the beginning stages but I’ve learned a lot. I want to continue to be the best I can be in order to help contestants. It’s that for me.

"I don’t know if I have a judging style. I try to speak as frankly as possible, but as kindly as possible not sugar coating the whole thing because that does nobody any good and that’s boring to watch."

'American Idol' judge Mariah Carey splashed out $1,500 on an eight-hour massage

Mariah Carey

The 'American Idol' judge hired a masseuse to help her relax at her Los Angeles mansion last month, and during the rub down she insisted on watching Sacha Baron Cohen's 2009 comedy movie 'Bruno' – which lasts 81 minutes and sees the actor portray the titular character, a flamboyant fashionista - on repeat.

A source told Us Weekly: "The masseuse made $1,500. She insisted 'Bruno' play on repeat. It looped the entire time!"

Mariah may have required the massage to relieve tension built up after feuding with fellow 'American Idol' judge Nicki Minaj on the show, but the programme's bosses are said to "love the drama".

A show insider said: "They feel like they've struck gold."

Filming on 'American Idol' had to be called to a halt earlier this month when Mariah and Nicki clashed over a contestant which resulted in the 'Super Bass' rapper branding the 'Hero' hitmaker "boring as f**k" and threatening, "Off with your head!"

Following the disagreement, Nicki fired more insults at Mariah on her twitter account, but producers have insisted the judging panel is one of the "best" the show has ever had.

They said: "This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we've ever had.

"We love and support all of the judges and the fantastic work they are doing, and we can't imagine a better group to find the next 'American Idol'."

Steven Tyler slams Mariah Carey's 'American Idol' feud with Nicki Minaj as a publicity stunt

American Idol judge Mariah Carey

The Aerosmith star - who announced he was leaving the reality show in July after a successful two season run on the judging panel - believes producers have orchestrated the women's outspoken rivalry to boost ratings.

The 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' singer told US gossip website TMZ: "Of course, are you kidding," when asked if he thought their furious bust-up was designed to generate more publicity.

Filming of the new series was called to a halt earlier this week after the judges' disagreement over a contestant turned into a bitter screaming match as Nicki hurled insults at Mariah, calling her "boring as f**k" and threatening "off with your head!"

The 'Starships' rapper has continued to blast Mariah on her twitter page.

But 'American Idol' producers have insisted the show must go on despite the tension and pledged their support for the entire judging panel.

In a statement last Friday, 'American Idol' producers said: "This is one of the best, most passionate, dynamic and invested judging panels we've ever had.

"We love and support all of the judges and the fantastic work they are doing, and we can't imagine a better group to find the next 'American Idol'.

Keith Urban upset by Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj’s feud on ‘American Idol’

American Idol judges

The country singer and fellow panelist Randy Jackson were caught in the middle when Mariah and Nicki had a furious bust up earlier this week, leading to auditions being cancelled for a day and sources close to Keith say he doesn’t know what to do.

An insider told the Chicago Sun Times:  “Keith is such a wonderful, easygoing, lovely guy. This kind of drama was not the reason he signed on to be an ‘Idol’ judge. … He hates nastiness in any form.”
During the fight Keith joked he felt like "the UN [United Nations]" caught in the middle.

Meanwhile, it has been revealed Mariah has hired extra security after claiming Nicki threatened to shoot her.
Mariah contacted chat show host Barbara Walters, who read out a statement on 'The View' which revealed several staff members had heard Nicki say: "If I had a gun I would shoot the b***h."

Barbara explained: "She said she is very concerned, she's with her twins, she doesn't feel that anything would happen, but Nicki is unpredictable and Mariah says she can't take a chance and has hired extra security.
"Nicki has not apologised, but they were together in meetings... during which Nicki said, 'I love you, but we might fight again!'

"Mariah said at this point she doesn't feel comfortable emotionally but she will continue with the show because she loves mentoring the contestants."

Mariah Carey handled her spat with Nicki Minaj with ‘poise and grace’

Mariah Carey

The 'Touch My Body' singer is determined to move on from the heated catfight with her fellow 'American Idol' judge and intends to take the moral high ground.

A friend of Mariah's told People magazine: "She's not going to let this faze her now - the outbursts won't faze her.

"She'll handle [it] with poise and grace. Mariah has dealt with far worse in her career."

Producers called filming to a halt after the judges' disagreement over a contestant turned into a bitter screaming match as Nicki hurled insults at Mariah, calling her "boring as f**k" and threatening "off with your head!".

Mariah's husband Nick Cannon - with whom she has 17-month-old twins Morrocan and Monroe - insists the pop star doesn't want to be caught up in any dramas on the show and is focused on finding the next big singer.

Nick told Access Hollywood: "My wife is the strongest and classiest woman that I've ever met, if you watch the video, she just maintains her composure ... I don't think she's moved by the theatrics and pageantry of it all."

"She signed up to do a job to help young people. This is like a sidebar. I hope that's not what this show becomes, about the catfights."

'American Idol' host Ryan Seacrest has also weighed in on the feud, saying that despite the singer's differences, things went too far.

Speaking on his KIIS-FM radio show, he explained they were "very different individuals ... with different perspective and different opinions that provide for interesting conversation and dialogue and feedback for the contestants.

 "Yesterday it got heated. It was intense, I'll be honest with you."

Nicki Minaj has ‘love and respect’ for fellow American Idol judge Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey & Niki Minaj

The 'Starships' hitmaker said she was "shocked" at rumors the 'Fantasy' singer was unhappy with her appointment to the 'American Idol' panel in an interview conducted before a row between the pair that caused filming to be stopped.

She said: "Up until the rumours, I didn't think there would be a problem because she and I had worked together, I had so much genuine love for her and respect for her, I was shocked hearing the rumours as well."

However, the pink-haired star insists that any disagreements on the judging panel would not become major personal problems and tensions would end once filming stopped.

Speaking on the 'Kyle & Jackie O Show' on 2Day FM, she added: "It is what it is, it's a competition, we're there to help someone else become a superstar, I think if we disagree on the judging panel, then we disagree on the judging panel, it's not something that's going to bleed into our regular lives, we don't take it home with us.  It is good TV, I definitely think people are going to be very, very interested in this season."

Show bosses cancelled filming in Charlotte, North Carolina for the day after a huge row between Nicki and Mariah which saw the latter star brand her fellow panellist a bitch, prompting the 'Super Bass' singer to hit back, allegedly threatening and swearing at her rival.

Producers are now worried about how the pair will manage to work together for the rest of the season.

Mariah Carey approached Simon Cowell about being a judge on 'The X Factor' USA

Mariah Carey

While the singer has now taken up a role on his former show 'American Idol', Simon has revealed she was first interested in being a member of this year's new look panel on his talent program.

However, the 52-year-old music mogul didn't want her on the series because he didn't think she could be nasty enough to the pop hopefuls.

He told In Touch Weekly magazine: "Mariah called me about 'X Factor' and I met with her but my main concern was that she might have found it harder on 'The X Factor' than on 'Idol'. 'Idol' is a more gentle show and Mariah is not someone who wants to say no to people."

Judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul left 'The X Factor' after its' debut season in America and were replaced by Britney Spears and Demi Lovato for the new series. They are joined by Simon and L.A. Reid.

Simon also revealed he made the decision to quit 'American Idol' after so many successful years because he was "bored".

He explained: "I was bored on the show. I didn't think it was fair to the network that they were paying me to be bored.

"Over time on 'The X Factor' the weak will go and the strong will survive. I believe with all my heart that 'The X Factor' is the best show."

Mariah Carey has stunned 'American Idol' staff - with her normal requests

Mariah Carey

The 'Hero' hitmaker has renowned for her outrageous backstage demands - which in the past have included 20 white kittens, butterfly-shaped confetti,  baskets of puppies, white roses and a "tea service for eight" - but insiders claim there is nothing unusual about the dressing room set-up she has requested in her new job as a judge on the talent show.

A source told the New York Post newspaper: "It's all standard stuff, nothing out of the ordinary. It's not like they'll need to put a new roof on the building. It's standard lists, whether it's for water, soda, veggies, snacks. It's all fairly normal."

In 2010, leaked details of Mariah's tour rider specified that her dressing room have "no busy patterns" although "black, dark grey, cream and dark pink" are all fine, and she should also be provided with a "lamp or clip light," so harsh lighting can be turned off.

The 42-year-old star is also very particular about the temperature of the room, 75 degrees Fahrenheit, while she likes to be surrounded by two dozen white roses and vanilla aromatherapy candles in order to unwind after a show.

‘American Idol’ judge Mariah Carey set to become highest paid judge on any music competition show

popdust.com

The latest addition to the 'American Idol' panel will apparently make $18 million in one year.

A show insider told UsMagazine.com: 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."

The singer's predecessor on the show, Jennifer Lopez, earned around $12 million dollars per season, Christina Aguilera negotiated a reported $10 million for the third season of 'The Voice', while Britney Spears will make approximately $16 million for her stint on 'The X Factor' USA.

Five-time Grammy Award winner, Mariah, confirmed on Monday that she had agreed on a deal with the television talent show.

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."

American Idol can't 'afford' Mariah Carey as a judge

Mariah Carey

The 'We Belong Together' singer has been linked with a role on the show following the announcement Jennifer
Lopez and Steven Tyler are to leave, but her husband Nick Cannon thinks she would cost show chiefs much more than the salaries paid to the departing panelists.

Nick told website TMZ: "I don't know if they can afford Mariah Carey. That's a lot of money. If they gave J-Lo $20 million, they might have to double that!"

Despite Nick's claims, Jennifer was rumoured to have been paid $15 million to appear on the show.
Jennifer, 42, left 'American Idol' after two seasons in order to concentrate on other projects.

Speaking about leaving the show, she said: "Something had to give, something has to give. I was really dreading this phone call with you.

"I honestly feel the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that you do, and you have to pay attention to that, too. I could keep doing 'Idol' for the rest of my life, but that would be giving up a bunch of other things. I feel like we had an amazing run."

Meanwhile, Mariah - who has 14-month-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with Nick - has been in the studio recording a new album with producer Rodney Jerkins.

She tweeted last week: "In the studio with RJ-yeaah, having a nice time! (sic)"

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are renting a palatial mansion for $150,000 a month

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

The couple - who have 15-month old twins Moroccan and Monroe - have splashed out on the pricey vacation home in The Hamptons in Long Island, New York, for the summer.

The 7,500 sq ft property has six bedrooms, six-and-a-half bathrooms, a private cinema and an extensive wine cellar.

The huge mansion, which is worth almost $15 million, has its own creek and a huge swimming pool featuring floating cabanas.

There are also staff quarters for their extensive entourage.

No doubt Mariah is looking forward to an extended vacation as the singer recently returned to work, going back into the recording studio to lay down songs for the first time since the birth of her twins in April 2011.

She tweeted: "Summer 2012 ... Been in the lab, mixing up some concoctions for you, hope you like it!!
"Still working in the studio with friends o plenty! I love this new song :) (sic)"

Nick previously revealed the couple's children was inspiring her songwriting.

He wrote on his official website earlier this year: "My beautiful wife is planning to make her return to the music scene after taking time off to focus on the pregnancy and the birth of our two wonderful babies, Moroccan and Monroe.

"She's rejuvenated and ready to start sharing some of the amazing new music she has been making in the studio! Our new family has definitely given her a great new source of inspiration and creativity.

"I'm so proud of her and can't wait for her to release more phenomenal music!"

Mariah Carey returns to studio to begin work on new tracks

Mariah Carey

The 42-year-old singer has gone back into the recording studio to lay down songs for the first time since the birth of her twins Moroccan and Monroe in April 2011.

Mariah - who is married to Nick Cannon - tweeted: "Summer 2012... Been in the lab, mixing up some concoctions for you, hope you like it!!

"Still working in the studio with friends o plenty! I love this new song :) (sic)"

Mariah last released an album, 'Merry Christmas II You' in 2010 and last December collaborated with Justin Bieber on the re-release of her festive hit 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'.

Nick previously revealed the couple's children was inspiring her songwriting.

He wrote on his official website earlier this year: "My beautiful wife is planning to make her return to the music scene after taking time off to focus on the pregnancy and the birth of our two wonderful babies, Moroccan and Monroe.

"She's rejuvenated and ready to start sharing some of the amazing new music she has been making in the studio! Our new family has definitely given her a great new source of inspiration and creativity.

"I'm so proud of her and can't wait for her to release more phenomenal music!"

Mariah Carey's sister is desperate to heal their rift

Mariah Carey

The 42-year-old singer and her elder sibling Alison Carey - a former prostitute and drug addict - have spoken just once since 1994 but Alison hopes they can reconcile as she wants to meet her niece and nephew, twins Moroccan and Monroe, who turned one last month.

Alison, 50, said: “I want to reach out to my sister and tell her how much I miss her and how proud I am that we are family.

“We may be apart now, and it has been many years since we last spoke. But to me, despite all the bad times and the arguments, she will always be my baby sister.

“I cannot put into words how moved I was to see pictures of my niece and nephew for the first time. I saw photographs of them on the television just after they were born and I saw more when they turned one recently.

“I am sure Mariah is going to be a fantastic mother and her husband Nick Cannon, who I’ve heard nothing but good things about, will be a great father.

“I just wish Mariah would let me be her sister again and a proper auntie to her children.

“I know we have had so many problems over the years, but I want to reach out to her in the hope that we can make peace and mend the wounds that have torn our family apart.”

The 'Fantasy' hitmaker promised her dying father in 2002 that she would end their rift but they have spoken just once since then.

Alison - who is HIV positive - told The Sun newspaper:  “She has never met that promise. I last spoke to Mariah four years ago when she called me on New Year’s Eve. But since then I have not been able to speak to her.

"I reached out to Mariah last year when a doctor told me I had liver cancer and only four months left to live. A relative told me Mariah decided she wanted to reconcile and she would pay for my treatment. But I never heard from her.

“It turned out to be nothing more than a gallstone. But it would have been nice if my sister had been there for me.

“I’ve had my problems over the years but I want to tell Mariah I have been clean and sober for four months now and I am absolutely determined to keep my life on track."

Mariah Carey says she was joking about not caring who works on 'The X Factor' USA

The 'Make It Happen' singer backtracked on her comments earlier this week via twitter.

She reached out to Britney Spears and Simon Cowell claiming she loved and cared about them asked the pair not to take her comments seriously.

She said directly to them on the micro-blogging website: "@BritneySpears & @SimonCowell of course I luv+care about you dahhlings, congrats! U never know what's true or gossip,I was joking around!xo,"

The two will appear on the judging panel for the forthcoming season alongside last year's mentor L.A Reid and new addition 19-year-old Demi Lovato.

Mariah was previously linked to becoming a judge on the American version of the talent programme but never reached an agreement.

Speaking to 'Extra' this week, Mariah appeared to have no interest in the new regarding the singin competition.

She told the show's host: "I love [Britney], honestly. I think she's a very nice person, but I don't care who's going on that show - as long as it's not me."

Mariah Carey doesn't care that Britney Spears is a judge on the new series of U.S. 'X Factor'

Mariah Carey and Britney Spears

The 42-year-old 'Heartbreaker' singer was amongst stars including Beyonce Knowles and Janet Jackson who were rumored to be joining the revamped panel.

However Mariah made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with the talent contest following the announcement that Britney and Demi Lovato were officially to become judges.

She told 'Extra': "You think I focus on that stuff? Have we met? I love [Britney], honestly. I think she's a very nice person, but I don't care who's going on that show -- as long as it's not me."

Meanwhile the 30-year-old 'Criminal' singer has claimed she is "so excited about this whole experience."

Speaking at the Fox Up Fronts event on in New York City she confessed it will be enjoyable working with 19-year-old Disney star Demi Lovato.

She added: "It's going to be so much fun and so different from anything I've ever done."

Mariah Carey renews wedding vows to Nick Cannon on top of the Eiffel Tower

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon

The 'Shake It Off' hitmaker - who married the TV presenter in a surprise ceremony in the Bahamas four years ago - took to twitter to celebrate the "incredible night" in the French capital of Paris on Friday.

She wrote: "Tonight was an incredible night. I can't express how amazing it was to renew our vows in Paris at the top of the Eiffel tower.

"Thank you so much to all the fans who came out as always and showed their love and support. I love you!(sic)"

Nick - who has recently battled ill health - recently admitted he continued to be amazed by his marriage to Mariah, with who he now has nearly one-year-old twins Moroccan and Monroe.

He said: "We get married every year; it's our thing. I just have to keep doing it to make sure it's real!"
Nick recently revealed the couple planned to celebrate their children turning one with a special celebration outside of the US.

He said: "It's up in the air right now but it's probably not going to be in the States. We are going to take it overseas."

When a party at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France was suggested, Nick appeared to hint the speculation was right, smiling as he said:

"You're good. You're good."

Mariah Carey's husband Nick Cannon wants to stay alive for his kids "more than anything"

The 'American Idol' host – who suffered mild kidney failure earlier this year, and was hospitalized with blood clots on his lungs last month – has changed his lifestyle because he is "scared" of dying and leaving behind his wife Mariah Carey and their 10-month-old twins Moroccan and Monroe.

Nick – who has been married to the singer since 2008 - said: “I want to be there for my children. You want to make sure you’re alive more than anything. I’m having a good time, though.

"It’s scary when you think about your health — where it can go — but when you’re doing it for the right reasons, and I’ve overcome so much in the past few months, it’s good.”

But the 31-year-old star initially thought doctors were "joking" when they warned him he might die if he did not slow down.
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He added to America's OK! magazine: "I thought it was them over-exaggerating. [I was,] like, ‘Yeah, right.’ And then, when I had a couple more scares and things got serious, I was, like, ‘Okay, this isn’t a joke. I’ve got to change the way I’m living my life.’ ”

Since being warned about his health, Nick quit his drive-time radio show on 92.3 NOW FM "under doctor's orders" last month, and he is now being "nursed" back to health by Mariah.

He explained: “She’s always taking care of me. She’s my nurse. She makes sure I take all my medications, makes sure I eat. It’s great!”

Despite his health concerns, Nick plans to continue presenting 'America's Got Talent' - which is set to start filming again this summer in New York City - because he believes it's "going to be the biggest show in the world."