American Idol

Wanna live like an "American Idol" finalist? Now you can ... but only if you're willing to drop $5,300 per week.

The mansion has one helluva history -- before it housed Idol's Top 12 in 2011 ... it was home to Playboy's "Swingers" reality show ... where a bunch of strangers banged each other mercilessly for several weeks while cameras rolled.

Now, TMZ has learned ... the 16,000 square foot pad in the Hollywood Hills has transformed into a fancy-schmancy (and extremely expensive) weight-loss and health center called Destination Fit4LA.

A rep for the center tells us ... the people behind Destination Fit4LA have owned the property for awhile and rented the place out to Playboy and "Idol" to make some cash while they prepared to launch their weight loss business.

We're told guests will stay in the 10-bedroom, 16-bath complex for $5,300 a week ... which includes a comprehensive weight loss program ... specialized meals ... and use of all the awesome amenities, including a fitness center, game room, theater and pool.

Mariah Carey wasted no time proving what we told you 2 weeks ago -- there's only room for one diva on "American Idol."

Carey and Nicki Minaj went at it during the first "A.I." taping Sunday in NYC. When Nicki started critiquing a contestant, Mariah would interrupt -- not once, but many times. Each time Mariah interrupted, Nicki fought back by loudly talking over Mariah.

One "A.I." spy said Mariah and Nicki tried to cover their disdain for each other but everyone saw through it, adding, "These girls just don't like each other."

You may recall, we reported when producers called Mariah to tell her that Nicki would probably be joining her as a judge, she hung up the phone.

If Enrique Iglesias really did turn down the judging gig on "American Idol" this season, it ain't because he hates the show ... in fact, Enrique says it's still his favorite of all the singing comps.

Iglesias was leaving AV Nightclub in Hollywood this weekend -- mobbed by fans -- when we asked which show he liked better ... "Idol," "X Factor" or "The Voice."

FYI -- the singer has reportedly turned down offers to star on EACH of the three shows.

But Iglesias told us the winner is "Idol" ... and made it clear that he still respects "A.I." ... even though negotiations to join the show fell apart in recent weeks.

"American Idol" judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson wasted no time getting right to work today ... showing up in NYC alongside host Ryan Seacrest for day one of auditions.

"Idol" made the official announcement about this season's judging panel just a few hours earlier.

As TMZ first reported, Jackson got a last minute reprieve when producers failed to come to terms on a contract with Enrique Iglesias.

Randy Jackson's stay of execution is confirmed -- he will remain a judge on the 12th season of "American Idol" ... officially joining Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban.

As TMZ reported, "Idol" producers locked down Jackson after talks with Enrique Iglesias fizzled out.

Mariah was the first the sign her deal, with Minaj and Urban signing on the dotted line just in the last few days.

"Idol" host Ryan Seacrest tweeted a photo of himself with the judges (see above), writing, "It's official, your new #IdolJudges are @MariahCarey, @NickiMinaj, @KeithUrban & @Yo_RandyJackson!"

Randy Jackson is staying at the judge's table on "American Idol" ... after negotiations with Enrique Iglesias fizzled out.

Sources tell TMZ ... Jackson is very close to signing his deal ... after producers initially tried to move the dawg away from the judge's table and use him as a "mentor." We're told Jackson wasn't too pleased with those plans.

But now, with Iglesias seemingly out of the picture ... and auditions starting in a just a few days ... producers need to get a famous ass in the seat ... and they know Jackson can get the job done.

As for the other 3 seats -- Mariah Carey is already locked in ... and sources tell us negotiations with Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj could be finalized any minute.

Mariah Carey doesn't need no stinkin' co-judges on "American Idol" ... the diva tells TMZ she can do it all by her damn self!!!! And with multiple personalities, she's just the person to pull it off.

Carey spoke to photogs on both ends of the country yesterday -- first in NYC, where the paps asked about the tension between herself and Nicki Minaj.

Carey shot back, "What tension? There's no tension!" Suuuuure.

When she arrived to L.A. we asked Carey who she would like to join her on the judge's panel, since there are still 3 open chairs.

Mariah replied, "I'd answer that, but I'm not quite sure how."

When we suggested she judge the show by herself, Carey made it clear she LOVED that idea ... saying, "Naturally ... why not?"

"American Idol" is in a pickle -- the judges start their on-air auditions in New York City in 2 weeks, and only one judge has signed a deal ... sources connected with the show tell TMZ.

Our sources tell us ... only Mariah Carey has inked a deal ... and a good deal it is at $18 mil.

We know although producers are set on Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban ... they have not fully come to terms on the deal and nothing is signed.

And it gets worse. We're told "A.I." honchos want 4 judges on the panel this year, because they don't think 2 women and a man will work. And they have not picked the 4th.

But wait ... there's more. Randy Jackson -- who is being kicked upstairs to mentor -- has not signed his deal either.

Suddenly finding himself with a lot of free time on his hands, Randy Jackson was spotted at LAX yesterday ... heading out of town.

As TMZ first reported, Randy will not be back as a judge on the next season of "American Idol," but will transition into a "mentor" role on the show.

"American Idol" will have a new set of judges -- because Randy is being kicked up to "mentor." So we gotta ask:

Keith Urban is in deep negotiations with "American Idol" but the deal has NOT been signed ... TMZ has learned.

"Idol" sources tell us, the country singer is in the final negotiation stages with producers to take the third judging spot on the show -- alongside Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, who replaced Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.

Keith will be replacing Randy Jackson -- but he hasn't officially signed the dotted line just yet. He's still working out a few contract kinks, but it's pretty much a lock.

He'll be receiving roughly $3-4 million for his hard work -- about half what Nicki Minaj is expected to make ... and a paltry fraction of Mariah's $18 million paycheck.

As for his replacement ... sources tell us Nicki Minaj's deal is 99% done ... but still not a sure thing just yet.

We're told the honchos are keenly aware Mariah Carey isn't a fan of Minaj and doesn't want her at the table ... a fact producers LOVE because they think the conflict and tension will be good for the show.

And ... we now know A.I. will once again go with a 4th judge ... we're told producers are gunning for someone from the country music world for the third seat. Seat number 4 is up in the air.

Finally, altough "A.I." wanted Diddy or Kanye West ... we're told they are definitely out of the picture.

Thiiiiiiiiis ... is getting intense.

One of the Jackson 5's biggest hits -- "I Want You Back" -- was assassinated by former "American Idol" finalist Haley Reinhart ... who heinously botched the lyrics during a live performance, and TMZ has the footage.

You know Michael's famous words -- "oooh baby give me one more chance" ... but that's about all Reinhart remembered when she sang the Motown classic at the W Hotel in Hollywood last weekend.

In the video ... Reinhart forgets the lyrics in the VERY FIRST verse, momentarily gets back on track, and then flubs again -- all while peeking at the lyrics on her phone. Not that it helped.

Haley weathered a few hecklers -- like the dude yelling, "You don't know the words!"

Disgraced "American Idol" contestant Jermaine Jones -- who was booted from last season for lying to producers about his criminal past -- has finally received some closure ... reuniting with his fellow finalists for the first time since he left the show.

Jermaine tells TMZ, he bought tickets to the American Idol LIVE tour on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philly -- and his friend Josh Ledet (who finished 3rd last season) hooked him up with backstage passes.

While he was there, Jermaine says he caught up with all his old pals from Season 11 -- Jessica Sanchez, Colton Dixon, Skylar Laine, Erika Van Pelt, Phillip Phillips, DeAndre Brackensick ... the whole gang.

Jermaine says it was an emotional reunion, but everyone was very supportive -- "showing a lot of love," and asking how Jermaine had been doing since he was disqualified in March.

As for whether he regrets lying to producers -- Jermaine tells us, "I think I told them at the time what I needed to for my information to qualify, but overall I just wish of course that I did things differently."

"American Idol" desperately wanted Katy Perry to fill one of its vacant judge's seats, so much so, they offered her $20 MILLION ... but she she still turned it down ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the production tell TMZ ... "Idol" pursued Perry relentlessly for weeks, eager to get her to sign on the dotted line. According to our sources, they started the offer at $18 million, but threw even more cash on the table ... $20 MILLION for a one year contract!!!

We're told Katy made it clear ... she was NOT interested and money wasn't the issue.

Sources tell us ... aside from the fact that Katy's schedule made it impossible to do the show ... she just didn't think it was right career choice for her.

Mariah Carey: "Hello, who's calling Mariah?"
American Idol: Hi, Ms. Carey! Sorry to bother you, but we umm ... well, we want the much younger Nicki Minaj to sit next to you at the judges' tab--((dial tone)) Hello? Hello??