Nicki Minaj set to become American Idol judge

Reports indicate that YMCMB rapstress, Nicki Minaj, along with country superstar Keith Urban may be nearing deals to take the vacant judges’ seats on the next season of “American Idol,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The Trinidadian-born rapper and singer, who released her second album this year, is expected to join Mariah Carey on the hit TV series’ judging panel.

Media sources has revealed that she has signed up for the show’s 12th season. “She is definitely doing it,” according to one insider. “[She is] 100% confirmed to judge,” said another.

THR also said that Minaj and Urban have been in talks with the show for weeks, but Minaj’s involvement was a sticking point, since she has a lucrative endorsement deal with Pepsi, and Coke is a sponsor of “American Idol.” But it appears those issues have been resolved, and that Minaj would earn $8 million for her participation on the show, in addition to an extra allowance for wardrobe, hair and makeup.

Urban, who’s married to Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, has reportedly agreed to become a judge for a salary of $3 to $4 million. Mariah Carey, the only officially-announced judge, is said to be getting in the neighborhood of $18 million.

Although American Idol was for years the top reality TV singing competition in the US, the show has struggled in the ratings. Facing competition from The Voice and Simon Cowell’s The X Factor, which launched in the US last year, American Idol hired Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler for its latest season. Those singers helped crown Idol’s 11th winner, singer-songwriter Phillip Phillips, but announced this summer that they would not return in 2013.

It’s still unclear if original judge Randy Jackson will hang on or become a mentor.