MARIAH CAREY JOINS AMERICAN IDOL!

Mariah Carey will be a new judge on American Idol.  The news was announced at FOX’s Television Critics Association event in Los Angeles on Monday.  Carey released a statement saying, “It is going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back to American Idol.”  No word on how much money the singer will get for her work on the show.  Mariah will make her Idol debut in January. 

• STATEMENT: Mariah released the following statement: “As a singer, songwriter and producer, it’s going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back with 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.”
• STATEMENT: Idol executive producer Simon Fuller released the following statement: “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.”
• TIDBIT: Carey has won five GRAMMY Awards, sold over 200-million albums and scored 18 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

·       TWEET!  Mariah took to Twitter to share the news, writing, “It’s gonna be so much fun working on @AmericanIdol. As a singer-songwriter, I’m excited to help find and nurture new talent. LYM! –MC” 

THE WANTED’S MAX GEORGE IS SINGLE

The Wanted’s Max George is now a single man! The singer has split from his longtime girlfriend, soap actress Michelle Keegan. His rep confirmed the split and urged people to let Max have his privacy. The pair began dating back in December of 2010 and was engaged in April of the 2011. Read more at MTVNews.com.

GAVIN DeGRAW WANTS KARMIN ON ROLLING STONE

Gavin DeGraw is doing what he can to get Karmin on the cover of Rolling Stone. The musician encouraged all of his Twitter fans to vote for Karmin and get the hashtag #KarminForRollingStone to start trending. Head to RollingStone.com to show Karmin and Gavin your support.

• DIRECT LINK: Want to cast your vote, head here: http://bitly.com/_KarminROCKS

MADONNA IGNORES SCOTLAND’S REQUEST, WILL USE GUNS ON TOUR

Years of pop stardom give performers like Madonna the ability to disregard certain requests, even those from entire countries. According to PerezHilton.com, the singer is ignoring requests from Scottish law enforcement to stop using guns on her current tour. Amnesty International Scotland said continuing her use of guns on tour would be insensitive after the shooting massacre in Colorado Friday morning. This had seemingly no effect on Madonna’s weekend performance, as she sported pistols and assault rifles during the show. Shabnum Mustapha, the organization’s director, said in a statement that “better judgment should have been used.” All indications are that Madonna will continue using the weapons as part of her performance on the MDNA Tour.

GAVIN ROSSDALE THINKS NICKELBACK IS PHENOMENAL

Canadian rock band Nickelback has more than its fair share of detractors. Even though the group has sold millions of albums, written dozens of hit songs and manage to sell out almost every time they go on tour, they still can’t seem to get any respect, except from Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, who recently opened up for the group on their U-S tour. Gavin thinks Nickelback is phenomenal and doesn’t quite get all the negative criticism. Nickelback just canceled the last date of their North American tour in Raleigh, North Carolina on July 30^th.

THE SCRIPT TALK NEW TOUR, NEW SONG, NEW ALBUM

Listen up Script fans! There is ton of new stuff happening with the band. First off, they’re touring the U-S starting October 9^th when they’ll play Radio City Music Hall in New York. Fans can also now pre-order the band’s next album, #3, which comes out in September and will contain their new single, “Hall of Fame,” a duet with will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas.

• DIRECT LINK: Preview “Hall of Fame” over on The Script’s Facebook page right now.

REMEMBERING AMY WINEHOUSE ONE YEAR LATER

Yesterday (7/23) was the one-year anniversary of the death of Amy Winehouse.  The 27-year-old singer was known for her unique, bluesy voice and it appears she’s not done giving us music just yet.  Amy recorded a song called “Jazz N’ Blues” in 2001 and the rare tune was released this week.  You can listen to the song on PerezHilton.com.

IDOL WINNER TIES THE KNOT

On Saturday, American Idol season nine winner Lee DeWyze married model/actress Jonna Walsh.  The couple had a vintage inspired ceremony and Lee told People magazine, “It was really our style of wedding.”  To make the day even more special, Walsh walked down the aisle to a song her new husband wrote just for her called “Who Would Have Known.”  The song will be available on DeWyze’s next album.

SELENA GOMEZ CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY

The Teen Choice Awards weren’t the only party Selena Gomez was attending over the weekend. The actress turned 20 the very same night. After an on-stage celebration, E! Online reports Selena went out for a romantic dinner with her boyfriend, Justin Bieber. Gomez, no longer a teenager, can now focus on some more mature roles. She’s slated to play a partying coed alongside Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Benson in the upcoming indie movie Spring Breakers.

LADY GAGA PREVIEWS LATEST SONG FROM HER CAR

The streets of New York heard something they’ve never heard before last night. Lady Gaga was spotted in her hometown Sunday night blasting a brand new song from her car radio. MTV News reports the dance track featured a massive beat as Little Monsters gathered around the car and called the song amazing. Fans speculated that the song will be the first single off her next album, although nothing is set in stone just yet. Gaga will reveal the name of the new album in September.

MARIAH CAREY ANNOUNCES NEW SINGLE

Mariah Carey is returning to music, and along the way, she’s grabbing two of hip-hop’s biggest starts to be by her side.  On her Twitter Saturday, Carey announced that her new single, which is titled “Triumphant (Get Em),” will be released in early August and features Maybach Music Group boss Rick Ross and his label mate, Philadelphia rapper Meek Mill.  According to Carey, the single was written during a difficult time in her life and supposedly helped her get through it.

3 DOORS DOWN BASSIST BUSTED FOR DUI

Todd Harrell, the bassist for the rock group 3 Doors Down, was arrested and charged with a DUI following an accident in Mississippi last Thursday.  According to Billboard.com, sometime after 7 AM, Harrell ran a stop sign and collided with a pickup truck. The results from blood and toxicology tests are still pending.

ELTON JOHN AT NUMBER ONE IN THE U-K

For the first time in 22 years, Elton John has a number one album on the U-K charts.  According to the Official Charts Company, Good Morning to the Night, the record with experimental reworkings of components of Elton’s 1970-1976 catalog by Australian dance duo Pnau, tops the chart.  Elton approved the effort, which, while it is number one, is the lowest-selling number one album of the century to date with just 14,342 copies sold.