Singer Mariah Carey, highest paid judge!

Mariah Carey has become the highest paid reality show judge of `American Idol`.

Los Angeles: Singer Mariah Carey has become the highest paid reality show judge after she signed a one-year deal worth about $18 million with the `American Idol`.

The 42-year-old surpassed ex-judge Jennifer Lopez`s fees of $12 million for her first year of the show, reports tmz.com. Carey also left singer Britney Spears behind with her making $15 million in reality show "X-Factor". Expressing her excitement about working on the American singing reality show, she wrote on Twitter. "It`s gonna be so much fun working on `American Idol`. As a singer-songwriter, I`m excited to help, find and nurture new talent," she wrote. IANS