Mariah Carey to join X Factor?

13 May 2017

Mariah Carey is reportedly in talks to join 'The X Factor'.

Mariah Carey

It is believed that Nicole Scherzinger's schedule could clash with filming the new series of the reality TV show if she takes on a role in the big screen adaptation of 'Wicked' and show bosses have started talks with Mariah as a potential replacement.

A source told the Daily Mirror: "Mariah really wants to do it. Nicole is not committing at the moment, although she did meet up with Simon Cowell this week."

However, judge Louis Walsh insisted Mel B, who stars on 'America's Got Talent with Simon, would be the perfect replacement for Nicole.

He said: "Nicole might be getting a big movie like Wicked. If [Nicole doesn't come back] Mel B would be a good idea for the panel. Mel is on the US show with Simon."

Louis was briefly replaced on the panel by DJ Nick Grimshaw for one series but insisted his future on the show is secure because the 'X Factor' suffered without him.

He said: "I am signed for the next two years on X Factor so I am okay. The show lacked energy when I was not there and Simon knew."

Meanwhile, Mariah previously starred on 'American Idol', with Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson but called it the "worst experience" of her life.

When asked if she would ever return, she said: "Hell no! Absolutely not. That was the worst experience of my life."

And talking about her "feud" with Nicki, she said: "I'm not going to get into what it was, but let's just say I don't think they had any intentions for us to have a good experience doing that show. Pitting two females against each other wasn't cool. It should have been about the contestants instead of about some nonexistent feud that turned into even more ridiculousness. I would never want to be involved with it again."