Will Mariah Carey Join The X Factor? Randy Jackson Sounds Off!

American Idol judge and Mimi's manager has no problems with her judging on Simon Cowell's talent show

By Tierney Bricker Feb 02, 2012 8:35 PMTags
Mariah CareyCindy Ord/Getty Images

Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger out, Mariah Carey in?!

Now that the dust has finally settled after The X Factor bloodbath, during which it was announced judges Abdul and Scherzinger and host Steve Jones would not be returning for season two, one question remains: who will be filling the seats next to Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid when The X Factor returns? The one replacement suggestion on everyone's lips? Superstar Carey, who was rumored to be joining the cast back in season one.

American Idol judge and Carey's manager Randy Jackson spoke with reporters on a conference call today about the possibility of Mimi joining The X Factor's judging panel, whether he's noticed a change in Jennifer Lopez since her split with Marc Anthony, and more...

When asked if he thinks Carey would be a good judge for The X Factor, Jackson said, "She'd be amazing. I mean, I manage her, so of course I'm going to say that. She'd be amazing."

So does Jackson think Carey will actually join the show? "I don't know if that's ever going to happen," he said. "Look, Simon's one of the smartest people I know. I'm sure he he's got some very interesting ideas up his sleeve."

Though Jackson is Carey's manager and a judge on a rival reality singing competition show, he says he wouldn't have any problems with his artist joining The X Factor. "No, no, not at all. She's her own person. She can of course do whatever she wants and she always will do that," Jackson explained, adding, "Simon's one of my dearest friends in the world."

Of his former costar and friend Abdul's exit from The X Factor, Jackson says, ""I have not spoken to Paula. We texted back and forth. I'm sad to hear about what's going on with that show. All of those people are dear friends of mine."

Aside from the drama over at The X Factor, Jackson was also asked about his fellow judge Lopez's split from her husband Anthony and if he's noticed a difference in her. "No, I think she's very cool," Jackson says. "She's very professional. She comes to work and she comes to work. She doesn't carry anything with her."

While we won't see too many changes to the show's format in its 11th season, Jackson admits there is one aspect they are trying to work on: the judges' save. "We have a couple little wrinkles we're going to throw in, because it's always about finding ways to make it better," he says. "One of the things we've been tossing around is the judges' save thing, because last season, we saved Casey [Abrams]—it was the right time, it was the right move, but I certainly wish we had another one or two because it didn't serve the rest of the team well."

What do you think, X Factor fans? Would you like to see Mariah as a judge? Sound off in the comments!

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