Mariah & Madonna: "X Factor" Judges?

Cindy Ord/Getty ImagesEver since the huge shakeup over at the X Factor, with host Steve Jones and judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul departing, there's been talk that Simon Cowell wants to hire Mariah Carey to join him on the panel.  Would that ever happen?  Ask the guy from American Idol.

Speaking with reporters on conference call on Thursday, Idol's Randy Jackson, who actually manages Mariah, was asked about the X Factor rumors.  "She'd be amazing" on the show, said Randy, but added, "I don't know if that's ever going to happen."  He went on to say, "Simon's one of the smartest people I know.  I'm sure he's got some very interesting ideas up his sleeve." 

On principle, though, Randy wouldn't be opposed to having Mariah work on show that is a direct rival to American Idol.  "No, no, not at all.  She's her own person," said Randy.  "She can of course do whatever she wants and she always will do that."

But how about another superstar diva as the new X Factor judge?  Appearing at a pre-Super Bowl press conference in Indianapolis on Thursday, Madonna was asked if she'd be interested in the job, were Simon to approach her.  "I think I have enough jobs," she demurred.  "But thank you for thinking of me -- if [Simon] did."

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