Mariah Carey is heading to ‘American Idol’.

Yes, after weeks of speculation -and a questionable soundbite from the icon’s husband Nick Cannon – today saw TV Guide confirm the report many an ‘Idol‘ worshiper had been hoping for.

Full story below…

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Much ado has been made about Jennifer Lopez‘s shock departure from the American Idol judging panel last week.

Ever keen to plough through the PR smoke and spiel, we -in the latest episode of ‘The Business’– examine whether the Pop diva made the right choice kicking off her A.I Louboutins.

Hit ‘PLAY’ and be sure to let us know what you think below!

Your thoughts?

Despite husband Nick Cannon jokingly suggesting that reality talent show titan ‘American Idol’ would not be able to “afford Mariah Carey“, it appears the show’s executives are looking to prove otherwise…

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Guess which Pop sensation was snapped wowing fans in Toronto last night.

Hint:  Her debut album was certified 4x Platinum in the US and 5x Platinum in Canada.

Find out who the ‘Real’ diva is below…

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She just may have the whole world in her hands.  For, despite the recent arrival of multiple lawsuits against her, ‘Celebration’ singer Madonna may have cause to do just that as reports indicate the Pop queen is ruling tour charts across the globe.

Leaving her nearest competitors, Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, in her rearview…

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Jennifer Lopez‘s shock departure from American Idol has seen many a name touted as a potential replacement. One of the most speculated is the 42 year old’s age-mate and rival Mariah Carey.

And while the diva (of all divas) remains “mumm” on the topic, her trusty husband Nick Cannon couldn’t resist voicing his opinion (a filtered version of hers, perhaps) into the mix.

Watch what he had to say after the jump…

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In an age where even the world’s more ‘bankable’ stars struggle to wow on a commercial front, Young Money‘s Drake remains exception.

A Platinum coin in a box filled with oversexed R&B silvers, the ‘Take Care‘ maestra -by way of his unashamedly ‘brohemian’ brand- has risen to become one of the US’ highest selling acts.

An act, whose sophomore album ‘Take Care‘ bested Lady GaGa‘s first week full priced sales for 2011’s ‘Born This Way‘, selling more copies in three weeks than Rihanna‘s ‘Talk That Talk’ has sold in 9 months.

Now, in what marks yet another commercial feat scored by the star, his latest tour has pulled in impressive numbers on Pollstar‘s Mid-Year Top 100 Worldwide Tours tally.

Details below…

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As previously reported, reality talent show juggernaut ‘American Idol’ recently bid adieu to two of its judges – Steven Tyler & Jennifer Lopez.  Now, reports circulate that the ‘Ain’t It Funny’ songstress’s exit from ‘Idol’ was everything but a laughing matter, as her demands for an increase in pay led to an unceremonious ousting.

Amidst falling ratings and steeper competition (see:  ‘The Voice’, ‘X Factor USA’), the FOX fan favorite is looking to employ a star who probably fits a bit more comfortably into their budget.  And, given some of the names allegedly in talks to take up Lopez’s vacant chair on the judging panel, possibly for once someone who can actually sing may be put in place.

Mary J. Blige, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion are just a few names at the front of the race.  Additionally, given the boost afforded to Lopez’s career during her stint on the show, it’s safe to say the aforementioned would appreciate the same.  Or, given Britney Spears (X Factor) and Christina Aguilera‘s (The Voice) inclusions on ‘Idol’s’ fiercest competitors, should FOX executives look for someone younger and more current?

You tell us:  Who (among these and more) should replace Steven Tyler & Jennifer Lopez on ‘American Idol’?

July 13th marks the release of ‘Ice Age 4: Continental Drift‘ starring Jennifer Lopez, Ester Dean, Nicki Minaj and ‘Practice‘ genius Drake.

However, before the flick hits theaters, get into behind the scenes footage from its recording sessions, which sees the Rapper record lines for his ‘mammoth’ character Ethan.

Footage, which also features the aforementioned Ester Dean.

Your thoughts?

July 13th marks the release of ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift”, starring Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez, Drake and Rap Svengali Nicki Minaj.

So, before the epic adventure hits theaters, Minaj took to Flicks And Bits to discuss her character ‘Steffie’, her admiration for co star Latifah and why her family still can’t believe she landed the role.

Her comments below:

On Steffie:

Well, Steffie, she’s a cutsie little ladybug, and of course I call everyone ladybugs if I really love them. But of course she’s not a ladybug, she’s huge, but she’s so beautiful.

She’s a mammoth, she has blonde hair and she does really cute stuff with her hair. She does her lashes, she does stuff with Mascara. And, you know, she’s cutsie! I think she’s great.

On her family’s reaction to her scoring the role:

 I can’t believe I’m in an ‘Ice Age’ movie. My nieces and my little brothers, they’re freaking out. They think I’m making it up. They won’t believe it until the movie comes out that I’m doing a voice in ‘Ice Age 4.

Then on Latifah:

I’ve looked up to her for so many years, she embodies everything that I’d like to do, you know? She went from acting, she does acting, animation voices – she’s everything to me.

To be a part of something she’s a part of makes me very proud. Just working in that environment, the people on the movie were dope people. Everyone was so encouraging. When I was working on it I was like, “This is the best job in the world!”

Watch above…

Your thoughts?

A decade ago, accurate-or at least favorable representations of Latin Americans were an all too welcome Pop culture commonplace.

If it wasn’t ‘Taina‘ gracing our screens on Paramount’s Nickelodeon it was the fiery sounds of Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, figureheads for what has now be known as ‘The Latin Explosion‘.

Today, the story isn’t quite the same.

For, while the likes of Pitbull continue to fly the flag for Latin American music overseas, the demographic remains both mis- and underrepresented on the small screen.

Until now.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydu_7jtoaiI]

Starring 3LW front woman Adrienne Bailon and 106 & Park host Julissa Bermudez, That Grape Juice is pleased to welcome the Style Network‘s  ‘Empire Girls’.

Friends for over a decade, the ‘Girls’ landed the show following requests by friends to allow cameras into their lives.

Bermudez told us:

I had fears about being on Reality TV- because it really puts you out there, but so many funny crazy things would happen to us and our friends would be like “where are the cameras?!”

However, if you were hoping for the table tossing, cat fighting that plagues a number of today’s shows, think again. According to Bailon, “Empire Girls is feel good TV, it focuses on us being strong independent women with real goals and aspirations“.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGktdKLSN6o]

She went onto admit:

Of course there’s going to be drama, but it’s all real. None of it’s exaggerated for the cameras.

We’re both Latina, I was born in the New York and Julie was born in the Dominican Republic, but we both represent a huge demographic in the US, and that’s the second or third generation Latin American woman- and the show reflects that. 

Both of them declaring:

It won’t endorse the stereotypes.

Our story is about inspiration, it’s about hard work, determination and progress and you’ll definitely see that with both of us trying to each our seperate goals.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDDAi1ytdI]

Catch the ‘Empire Girls’ every Sunday only on The Style Network, (9-10pm. ET)

Your thoughts?

With hopes of showing young talented hopefuls everything they should not aspire to be as performers, American Idol executives tapped ‘Where Have You Been’ bleater Rihanna to lend a live rendition of her most recent hit.

Joining a bill that also featured Jennifer Lopez, Jason Derulo, Fantasia and more, the Barbadian beauty brought ‘Been’ to its largest stage yet much to fan delight.

 How did she fare?  Find out after the jump:

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