After sharing her knowledge of the music biz during “American Idol” season nine auditions, Victoria Beckham will be passing the honor of keeping Paula Abdul’s former judging chair warm to Shania Twain.
The country singer will be throwing her two cents in along with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi during the Chicago auditions set for the end of August.
Jonas Brothers’ middle brother, Joe, will also fill in as a guest judge, according to Entertainment Weekly. EW writes that this news was confirmed by a source close to the show.
Kelly Clarkson, the first singer crowned as the American Idol back in 2002, is rumored to be another guest judge, as well as Mary J. Blige.
Fox previously reported that pop star Katy Perry will also sit behind the judging table during the seven-week audition process.
Beckham filled in during Aug. 7 Denver auditions in addition to helping out in Boston Aug. 13 for callbacks for contestants who tried out and then were invited back for another round.
Before joining the “Idol” gang, the former Spice Girl said she was nervous about trying her hand at judging.
"My heart is about to jump out my throat," Beckham said.
She wasn’t worried about being the butt of one of Simon’s jokes.
"I have a British sense of humor. I'm quite welcoming to it," Beckham said.
One rumor that’s not true is that Jessica Simpson hopes to take over Abdul’s old spot. The New York Post wrote that, “Jessica Simpson is being pushed to the producers of "American Idol" by her father/manager Joe Simpson as the perfect replacement for Paula Abdul,” but the singer’s rep told Us magazine that, “There is absolutely no truth to this.”
FOX hopes to find a permanent replacement for Abdul by the time the popular reality show starts up again in January.
Abdul announced through her Twitter account Aug. 4 that she wouldn’t be returning to the ninth season of “Idol.”
She wrote, “I hope you understand I can only return to Idol if the deal is fair.”
The Los Angeles Times previously reported that Abdul’s current annual salary was around $4 million. She had reportedly initially asked for a raise as much as $20 million but then lowered the request to $12 million.
TMZ.com reported the figure was more like $10 million.
Although Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice said that, “in terms of the negotiations themselves, the negotiations have concluded,” rumor has it that Abdul and Fox might still be able to work out a deal in time for the former judge/pop singer to return to “Idol.”
Who do you think should permanently replace Paula?
Or do you hope she and Fox work things out?
Click here for the AP article.
Click here for the Entertainment Weekly article.
Click here for the “American Idol” Web site.