Mariah Carey Officially American Idol's New Judge!

It’s official! Mariah Carey will be joining American Idol as a judge for the upcoming twelfth season of the hit singing competition.

“I am so excited to be joining Idol,” Mariah shared in a phone call with Fox boss Kevin Reilly (via TV Line). “I wanted to be there today and I wish I could have been there myself to tell you. I can’t wait to get started in a couple months.”

The news was announced during Fox’s panel at the 2012 Summer TCA Tour on Monday (July 23) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

“I would like to see the judges change every year. It’s horrible to be in this position where you guys [in the press] are asking, ‘Who’s it going to be?’ and there are thousands of names being thrown out,” executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said. “And it’s unfair on negotiations. You can’t negotiate with somebody in a public marketplace.”

WILL YOU WATCH Mariah Carey as a judge on American Idol?