'American Idol' can't afford Mariah Carey, says Nick Cannon

Published Jul 16 2012, 14:32 BST  |  By Justin Harp

Nick Cannon has suggested that his wife Mariah Carey is unlikely to become an American Idol judge.

Carey has emerged as a frontrunner for American Idol's judging panel following the departures of Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez last week. Randy Jackson is also rumoured to be moved into a mentoring role on the show.



Cannon has now confirmed that American Idol bosses have reached out directly to Carey in recent days.

"Everybody wants to talk to her," the America's Got Talent host told TMZ.

He went on to play down expectations that Carey will actually become an American Idol judge.

"I don't know if they can afford Mariah Carey. That's a lot of money," Cannon quipped. "If they gave J-Lo $20 million, they might have to double that!... You never know, it's one of [those] things, she's got an album coming out so there's promotional stuff [she has to deal with]."

On Sunday (July 15), Aretha Franklin joined the possible judging candidates when she spoke of her desire for a role on American Idol.

American Idol bosses are apparently looking to downsize the salaries for next season after paying Lopez between $15m and $20m.

Watch Mariah Carey's 'We Belong Together' music video below: