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Nick Jonas, Pharrell Williams Negotiating “American Idol” Deals, Report Says
By Alexandra Gratereaux
Published January 10, 2017
Nick Jonas and Pharrell Williams might be joining Mariah Carey in the judging table of “American Idol.”
Entertainment magazine US Weekly reports that the two Hollywood singers and producers are being considered to guide the incoming contestants during the 13 season of the show.
Jonas, 19, and Williams, 39, are the lead frontrunners, sources have confirmed to US Weekly.
"Nick is pretty close to signing to be the Idol judge," one source says."They flew him in to L.A. last week for final meetings."
Another source tells the magazine that Jonas, who just wrapped up a four-month Broadway gig in the Tony-award-winning musical, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” is the perfect candidate because he can help bring in a younger audience.
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US Weekly says Williams, who recently co-produced Gloria Estefan’s new album, “Miss Little Havana,” is already negotiating his contract with the show.
"Everything is looking good, but they're still working out details," a source with knowledge on the deal told the publication.
Mariah Carey was the first judge of season 13 to be confirmed last week.
The Hollywood Reporter says that FOX Entertainment president Kevin Reilly has confirmed that Jennifer Lopez is not returning and, in her place, Mariah Carey will be taking over.
"We do in fact have one judge whose deal closed very, very recently," the entertainment publication quoted Reilly saying about Carey.
"I think it's the biggest recording artist that any of these shows have ever had. It’s an artist that many contestants have tried to emulate, have tried to sing [her] songs, have tried to hit the notes. Because [the deal] really only concluded hours ago, our new judge couldn’t be with us," he added.
"I am so excited to be joining ‘Idol,’" Carey said, according to THR. "I can't wait to get started.
Deadline.com reports that Carey is getting paid more than $17 million to judge the 13th season.
Carey’s paycheck would be an all-time record for “Idol” judges salaries, the publication reports.
In regards to Lopez and Tyler leaving the show, Reilly said that it was a "transparent" and "mutual" decision.
"We had a great experience with both of them; creatively we were all happy,” Reilly said. “But we decided it was time for a change."
https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/nick-jonas-pharrell-williams-negotiating-american-idol-deals-report-says