Mariah Carey News

Despite recent rumors that Randy Jackson would be returning to FOX's AMERICAN IDOL in the role of a mentor for the upcoming 12th season, Deadline.com reports that he has just closed a deal with FOX to return as one of the singing competition's judges.

Long-time AMERICAN IDOL judge Randy Jackson appeared on the final hour of NBC's 'Today' show this morning to discuss the upcoming season of the FOX singing competition.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts, a TimeOutNY/Kids "Best Camp for 2012" which has just completed its 45th season, will present a special off-season event, An Afternoon With Jane Monheit, performances by the internationally acclaimed jazz singer and Usdan alumna, on Saturday October 14. The Grammy-nominated vocalist will perform two 75-minute concerts with her band, at 2 PM and then a repeat performance at 4:30 PM at Usdan's intimate Maurice B. Hexter Recital Hall.

Mega-belter Amy Lynn and her brassy band, The Gunshow, return to DROM on Friday, September 14th. Joining them will be acclaimed indie-soul-folk duo The Bengsons. Doors open at 7:00pm and the show starts at 7:30pm.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today Ang Lee has been added to the roster of its 2012 NYFF HBO Directors Dialogues participants. FSLC also announced the selections for the 16th edition of NYFF's Views From the Avant-Garde, the popular yearly touchstone for experimental film around the world as well as the presentation of filmmaker awards from the Kazuko Trust for the first time. In addition, NYFF announced the selections for this year's short film programs.

VH1's five-time Emmy Award-nominated documentary series BEHIND THE MUSIC returns to focus on eight of today's most influential icons in the music world.

Jackie Evancho will perform with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra (RIPO) at the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) on Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 7:30P.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts (www.usdan.com) will present its sixth annual Usdan Chess Challenge on Sunday September 23 at its specially designed Maurice B. Hexter Chess Center on Long Island. Open to grades K-12, the tournament is US Chess Federation-rated, and will be directed by Usdan Chess Instructors Brian Karen (a USCF and FIDE Expert) and Joel Salman (a USCF and FIDE Master).

According to TMZ, Randy Jackson has confirmed reports he will not be a judge on the next season of FOX's AMERICAN IDOL. However he will remain on the show in the role of a 'mentor.'

As first reported on ETOnline, Nigel Lythgoe will be returning as executive producer of FOX's long-running singing competition AMERICAN IDOL. An official announcement from the network is expected shortly.

Mariah Carey will be honored as a BMI Icon at the BMI Urban Awards, scheduled for Friday, September 7 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.

TMZ is reporting that Kanye West is currently in negotiations to become a judge on AMERICAN IDOL when the FOX competition returns next season. Sources tell TMZ that 'Idol' execs have 'reached out' to West about filling one of the judge's seats recently vacated by Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

Usdan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts (www.usdan.com), the nationally acclaimed summer arts day camp, will present its sixth annual Usdan Chess Challenge on Sunday September 23 at its specially designed Maurice B. Hexter Chess Center on Long Island. Open to grades K-12, the tournament is US Chess Federation-rated, and will be directed by Usdan Chess Instructors Brian Karen (a USCF and FIDE Expert) and Joel Salman (a USCF and FIDE Master).

According to Us Weekly, pop star Nicki Minaj has reportedly been named the new judge on FOX's AMERICAN IDOL. The singer will join newcomer Mariah Carey at the judge's panel when the show returns next season.

Much to the excitement of bass players around the world, bass guitar virtuoso Brad Russell has released his debut solo album 'Let's Hear It!' on Steve Vai's Digital Nations label. Featuring guitar legend Joe Satriani, 'Let's Hear It!' explores musical frontiers where no bassist has gone before! Brad is a true bass hero and his debut CD is a solid sampling of creative cutting edge "lead" rock bass playing.

The Toronto International Film Festival® announces the addition of 3 Galas and 18 Special Presentations, including 8 World Premieres, to its slate. The Festival will close with Paul Andrew Williams' A SONG FOR MARION, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Terence Stamp.

Today we are talking to a multi-talented performer who has performed on Broadway in everything from BROOKLYN to WICKED who made her most recent Broadway bows standing by in both ON A CLEAR DAY YOU CAN SEE FOREVER and PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT - the dynamic and compelling Julie Reiber. Talking all about her new solo album, LOVE TRAVELS, and its various inspirations as well as casting a look back at her many Broadway, touring and regional roles thus far in her eclectic career - ALL SHOOK UP, SWEENEY TODD and many more included - Reiber and I attempt to illustrate her unique place on Broadway and what she would like to pursue in the future, both on the stage and in the recording studio. Additionally, Reiber opens up about her exhaustive song selection process for LOVE TRAVELS and shares candid stories of the recording process of her solo debut, including providing some background on the songs that did not make the cut, how the sterling arrangements arose out of the material and the process of becoming a singer-songwriter in her own right over the project's three-year-long creation. Also, Reiber outlines her experiences performing in the out-of-town tryout of the new musical adaptation of Armistead Maupin's TALES OF THE CITY penned by rock super group Scissor Sisters and expresses her desire to continue with future iterations of the 70s-set Broadway-bound tuner as she looks ahead to her new roles of recording artist, and, also, she is happy to announce, mother. Plus, Julie offers details on her role in the heretofore little-known Meat Loaf-inspired movie musical ECLIPSE OF THE HEART (hopefully released some red moon soon), expresses her thoughts on GLEE and SMASH, compared Broadway now versus a decade ago - and much, much more!

Additional seats have been released for the August 14 and 15 performances of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour™ at STAPLES Center. Los Angeles is the tour's last North American stop before beginning the European leg in London on October 12, 2012. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1?800?745?3000. Ticket prices start at $50.

AMERICAN IDOL is currently searching to fill the chairs of exiting judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez. Morissette told Mix 941, a local CBS radio station that she is currently in discussions to joing the long-running FOX singing competition.

Nickelodeon has ordered a fourth season of their self-titled hit comedy series BIG TIME RUSH. Created by Scott Fellows and produced in partnership with Sony Music, the series chronicles the adventures of four best friends living the dream in Los Angeles, balancing their newfound fame, fans, music and girlfriends.