Mariah Carey, five time Grammy winner, has announced that she will be the newest “American Idol” judge. After meeting with FOX executives on Monday, July 23, Carey joined in a phone press conference to confirm the news.

Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Jennifer Lopez have both already announced that they will not be returning to “American Idol” after being on the show for two years. According to FOX president Kevin Reilly the decision was mutual. Reilly stated, “we both decided it’s time for a change.” During the past two years the show’s ratings have declined a staggering 23%, leaving FOX very unhappy with executive producer Nigel Lythgoe.

According to bestmoviesevernews.com Lythgoe is in danger of losing “American Idol” if he doesn’t revamp the show and up the ratings. Randy Jackson, long-time judge and member of Journey, was also in danger of losing his contract. However, as co-manager of Mariah Carey, he was key in cementing the deal between her and FOX, which also seems to have secured his place as judge. Reilly stated, “Randy has been working with Mariah for a long, long time and is in fact her co-manager. Randy was very instrumental in this deal.”

With several other competitive singing shows out there, “American Idol” is getting lost in time. Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe claimed at the Television Critics Association that one way ratings could be improved is to have new judges on the show each season. This strategy may in fact be necessary with new shows climbing in ratings such as “The X-Factor” which just added Britney Spears and Demi Lavato as judges.

Lythgoe also suggested that there is a chance that J-Lo would return to the show, but Reilly stopped those rumors stating, “I think I can say that’s 100 percent that Jennifer won’t be coming back to the show.” However, everyone at FOX, as well as Carey herself, are very excited about this new addition to the show.

Carey stated in the phone conference, “I am so excited to be joining “American Idol.” I wish I could have been there myself to tell you. This kind of all just happened really quickly. I can’t wait to get started in a couple months… I will see you in January.”

Kevin Reilly, president of FOX also added his support. “It’s the biggest recording artist that any of these shows have ever had. It’s an artist many of these contestants have tried to emulate. [The deal] only concluded only hours ago. Not being the only game in town, we need to keep things fresh.”

Simon Fuller, the creator and other executive producer of “American Idol” stated, “we are proud to have one of the world’s greatest-ever female singers join our show. Mariah defines the word ‘Idol’ and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her.”

Hopefully for FOX and for “American Idol” the addition of Carey will guarantee that the show will go on.

Image Courtesy of  Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com

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The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) is very pleased to announce that Steven Tyler, a generous Foundation supporter and an Event Chair for EJAF’s 20th annual Academy Awards Viewing Party, is working with EJAF to help make its 20th Oscar-night event especially successful. Through an auction on Charitybuzz Steven is inviting the highest bidder to be a guest at his table for the Party.

The winner of the auction will be a guest of Steven Tyler and Erin Brady, dining at their table for the February 26, 2012 event, which will be held at the newly redesigned West Hollywood Park in West Hollywood, CA.

The Foundation’s 20th annual event will feature a cocktail reception, an incredible dinner prepared by celebrity chef Cat Cora and served during the Oscar telecast, an exciting live auction, and an after-show performance by Foster the People. Chopard, Neuro, and Wells Fargo are the Presenting Sponsors for the event, and American Airlines is the official airline partner for the Foundation.

“How would you have to dress if you were sitting next to me at a table at Elton John’s Oscar Party, “Steven Tyler joked.”Sounds like a loaded question, eh? Put your money where your mouth is and arrive as you will and come as you are to help me support the Elton John AIDS Foundation!”

“All of us at EJAF are deeply grateful to Steven for his tremendous generosity over the past several years,” stated EJAF Executive Director Scott Campbell. ”We are particularly thrilled to welcome him as an Event Chair this year for our 20th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party and so very thankful for his leadership and enthusiasm in helping to raise additional dollars for our urgent cause.”

Visit Charitybuzz to bid on this incredible opportunity to enjoy the Oscar telecast with Steven Tyler, Erin Brady, and their guests and to support the urgent work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Mazzzur / Shutterstock.com

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British pop superstar and international songstress Adele has successfully come out of throat surgery in Boston, Massachusetts. The musician has had to cancel a series of concerts over the past year due to ongoing medical issues with her throat. Adele was suffering from a hemorrhage to her vocal chords, a very serious complication that threatened to end her outstanding career.

The surgery was done at Massachusetts General Hospital and Adele is expected to make a full recovery. Adele had a laser microsurgery administered on her vocal chords. This was done in order to avoid a rupture on a benign polyp. Adele has been suffering from recurrent bleeding, which the surgery has stopped.

“Based on the advice of her doctor and voice therapist in the United Kingdom, Adele came to Boston to consult and undergo corrective voice surgery with Dr. Zeitels, the Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Voice Center.

Dr. Zeitels, who is also the Eugene B. Casey Professor of Laryngeal Surgery at Harvard Medical School, has pioneered many vocal cord surgical procedures including the use of specialized lasers to stop vocal cord bleeding in singers. He has performed this unique procedure for many vocalists including Steven Tyler, allowing him to return to full performance.” said a statement released by Massachusetts General Hospital.

To completely recover from the throat surgery, Adele must take the rest of the year off to relax her voice. The remainder of her concerts and all promotional appearances have been canceled in order for Adele to completely regain her strength and her voice. It is under doctor’s strict orders that she refrains from singing.

Adele has been widely known to be a smoker, which she has recently given up to keep her voice intact. In one of her most recent appearances at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, she announced that she quit smoking and drinking. Rumors were surfacing around the internet that Adele was going into surgery because she was suffering from throat cancer.

The accusations were false, as a representative for the singer stated “We would like to reiterate that Adele is to undergo surgery for a hemorrhaged vocal chord. All reports regarding any other condition are 100% false.”

Reena Gupta, the Director of the Voice and Swallowing Center at the Osborne Head and Neck Institute, commented on the idea that Adele could be suffering from throat cancer at age 23. “Even if she smokes two packs per day, and has been for a decade, it is nearly impossible to develop smoking-related cancer at such a young age. Other cancers do occur in this age group, but not those that arise from smoking.”

The 23 year old Grammy award winning performer has shot to recent fame after her sophomore album, 21, gained huge success across the world. Chart topping hits, including “Someone Like You” and “Rolling in the Deep” have been aired widely on radio stations and has helped Adele become one of the most popular singers in 2011.

Although Adele will be resting for the remainder of the year, it is still unknown when the singer will return to the stage.

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