American Idol

Katy Perry's $25 million deal to be the lead judge on "American Idol" wasn't just for her -- she says she struck a blow for women everywhere who've been underpaid to do the same job as a man.

Katy was on NYC'S WKTU radio Tuesday and told "Cubby and Carolina Bermudez In the Morning" ... she's proud as hell her fat paycheck is more than "pretty much" any man made before her.

The pop star goes on to give a preview of what kind of judge she's going to be, and said she's the perfect fit for the show at the perfect time.

As we reported ... Perry's getting paid more than most of her big name 'Idol' predecessors. However, she'll need a massive raise before she matches Simon Cowell's reported $45 mil a year.

Katy Perry is getting a staggering $25 MILLION to judge "American Idol" ... this according to sources familiar with the negotiation.

Multiple sources tell us ABC was desperate to sign a name before the Upfronts last week, when honchos announced she was the lead judge. As one source put it, "Katy had all the leverage. If ABC ended up announcing the show without a judge, they'd be screwed."

TMZ broke a story way back in 2012 that 'A.I.' was trying to get Katy as a judge but she rejected the network's $20 mil offer.

As we reported, ABC tried to get Kelly Clarkson but at the last minute she jumped ship and went to NBC's "The Voice." NBC also snagged Jennifer Hudson.

We're also told ABC is "on the verge" of signing the deal with Ryan Seacrest to host the show. Sources connected with the first run of 'Idol' tell us Ryan was making $15 mil a season at his high point. We're told Jennifer Lopez was also raking in $15 mil a season. So Katy blew them both away.

"American Idol" and ABC made it official Tuesday ... they've bagged Katy Perry to be the lead judge when the show returns next year.

ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey made the announcement Tuesday -- as we first told you she would -- at the network's Upfronts in NYC. Katy wasn't there for the big reveal, but said in a statement she was "honored and thrilled to be the first judge bringing back the American Idol tradition of making dreams come true."

The network didn't have anything else to say about its 'Idol' reboot. Our sources say it's still a near certainty Ryan Seacrest will host. Zippo on the other 2 judges too.

We broke the story ... 'Idol' honchos don't feel it's essential to the show's success to get another big name singer now that they have Katy. We're told they'll target songwriters and industry execs.

Taylor Hicks is definitely NOT on board with Chris Daughtry being considered for an "American Idol" judge and his reason is simple -- he's a loser.

Ok, slight exaggeration ... Taylor's actual point is Chris didn't WIN 'Idol' ... like he did back in season 5, and he stressed that during an interview on Domenick Nati's iHeartRadio show. Mr. Soul Patrol was pretty blunt about it when asked about who should join Katy Perry.

Remember, Chris finished 4th during the season Taylor won.

So, would Taylor consider the gig ... and is 'Idol' even interested in him? He entertained both questions.

Taylor says the interview was taken out of context and he's since texted Chris to smooth things over ... we're told it's all good.

Katy Perry is in the homestretch ... negotiating a deal to become the anchor judge on "American Idol," and the announcement is expected to go down Tuesday.

TMZ broke the story ... 'AI' honchos set their sights on Perry after their bid for Kelly Clarkson went south and she joined "The Voice." Sources familiar with the negotiations tell us Idol's goal is to announce Katy is joining the reboot during the ABC Upfronts this week. Our sources say they will not announce the other 2 judges because 'Idol' hasn't even decided who it wants.

As we reported, Ryan Seacrest will almost certainly be the host.

Here's the challenge. Idol went off the air on FOX because it became too expensive to produce, and everyone involved in the show doesn't want a repeat of that problem. Seacrest and Perry will not come cheap, for sure ... so the other 2 judges can't break the bank.

Fact is, Idol's last few seasons had big stars, but the show didn't get bang for its buck. We're told the other judges will likely be a songwriter and a music producer.

Our sources say producers and the network don't feel the need to get 3 big singing stars on the panel, because ultimately the show is about the competition and making it interesting.

Bottom line: Sorry, Steven Tyler. It ain't gonna work out ...

Katy Perry is in line to fill the first judge's chair on the new "American Idol" and negotiations have already begun ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the talks tell us Katy is very interested, and is open to scheduling potential tour dates around the show's taping schedule. We're told ABC is fully on board as well and the only snag at this point is, of course, money.

As we first reported ... negotiations with Kelly Clarkson stalled due to her salary demands, and she decided to bail and coach on "The Voice" instead.

That left 'Idol' behind the 8 ball to land a big name ... and Katy fits that bill ... and then some.

William Hung doesn't think Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson betrayed "American Idol" by joining its arch rival, "The Voice" ... and even has a (long shot) plan B for producers.

Hung, who's a professional public speaker now, tells us he doesn't begrudge J-Hud and Kelly's decision to jump ship because it's been so long since they were 'Idol' contestants. Even though they, along with Hung, appeared on the big series finale last year on FOX.

It's been 13 years since his horrific rendition of "She Bangs" was banging around your head nonstop -- but Hung still has a big dream ... where 'Idol' is concerned.

Steven Tyler is serious about putting the band together again -- not Aerosmith, but his fellow judges J Lo and Randy Jackson ... for the "American Idol" reboot.

Thing is though ... Steven's got a lot of demands. He was at LAX Friday when he sent a message to 'AI' producers about how to take down "The Voice."

Steven believes he knows the winning formula, but something doesn't add up. We talked salary with him, and he's got a number in mind. Hint: he's looking at you, Jennifer!

"American Idol" and "The Voice" are locked in an arms war over which superstars will judge and coach on the shows ... and now 'Idol' is stepping up its game after taking 2 big Ls.

A source familiar with negotiations between 'Idol' and Kelly Clarkson -- on the 'Idol' side -- told us they won't be fooled again. As we reported ... Kelly signed with the NBC hit, after 'Idol' balked at her salary demands.

We're told 'AI' plans to keep its wish list of judges under lock and key from here on out. They think they became sitting ducks the second Kelly and Jennifer Hudson's names got out.

One Idol source said, in their opinion, "The Voice" went "into overdrive to lock down" both singers as soon as they got wind the revamped 'Idol' wanted them.

Kelly Clarkson just turned things around quicker than 'The Voice' coach chairs -- instead of judging on the new "American Idol" ... she's joining NBC's hit singing competition.

Kelly made the announcement by video chatting with Blake Shelton on his Facebook page. The superstar singers joked they'd been trying to put the deal together for years, but Kelly kept getting pregnant. She's already been a mentor on the show multiple times.

The timing doesn't seem like a coincidence -- TMZ broke the story, 'Idol' producers wanted Clarkson to be a judge when the show returns on ABC in March 2018. Our sources say negotiations were underway, but the sides couldn't agree on money.

We're told Kelly's ask was just beyond their budget. Instead, she's now landed at "The Voice" for season 14 ... which, by the way, will be running at the same time Idol returns.

Remember, astronomical salaries for judges are mainly what ended the show's run on FOX. As a result, we're told ABC's mindful of overspending.

Another 'Idol' alum, Jennifer Hudson, signed on this week for 'Voice' season 13.

Kelly Clarkson is shaping up to be ABC's first choice for judge on "American Idol" -- she's already clearing her schedule to start filming for auditions ... TMZ has learned.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... ABC has expressed "serious interest" in Clarkson, who won Season 1 of the OG show.

On Kelly's side, we're told she's not only interested, but people on her team are already looking to clear her schedule during the time the show will be filmed.

TMZ broke the story ... home base for the audition shows will be Disney World and possibly Disneyland, which will make it much easier to shoot than the OG where cast and crew went from city to city. It will also be way less expensive, which is a big consideration.

It's also unclear whether the show will air once or twice a week. We've heard ABC is considering a once a week format where results from voting will go down the following week. That will make it easier for the judges and the host, who will almost certainly be Ryan Seacrest.

ABC ... you just snagged "American Idol." So, where you goin' for auditions? We're goin' to Disney World!!!

Yep, TMZ has learned the show will shoot audition weeks at Walt Disney World in Orlando. We're told there are 2 reasons:

-- It promotes a huge brand within the Disney company -- amusement parks.

-- It's way more cost-effective than travelling the show to various cities.

A source familiar with the deal tells us there's also talk of doing some of the auditions at Disneyland on the West Coast.

It would also give the show a cross-section of America and beyond, without having to hit the road.

Money is definitely an issue. The show got too expensive to produce, which is why it went off the air a year ago, and this will save a considerable sum.

Ryan Seacrest sounds like he's game for round two of "American Idol."

TMZ broke the story..."Idol" is coming back in March, 2018 on ABC. We got Ryan and GF Shayna in NYC Saturday night and he certainly didn't shut down the possibility of hosting the show again.

As we reported ... the new gig has almost super-human strings attached, requiring him to fly coast to coast twice in two days in the middle of the night each week to pull it off. Ryan seems to think he's up to the task... with an L.A. Fitness membership.

BTW... we got him going in to Le Bernardin restaurant in NYC. It's super expensive, so we're guessing he's banking on "A.I." money to pay the check.

"American Idol" seems headed for ABC for a March 2018 launch ... sources connected with the negotiations tell TMZ.

TMZ broke the story, ABC made the offer a week ago and asked the owners of the show if it could be moved to NYC so Ryan Seacrest could host, now that he's living there. That idea was quickly nixed and the show will go on in Hollywood.

ABC tells us ... there's no signed deal, but our sources say the negotiations are far along and the fine points are being worked out right now. We're told both sides expect to seal the deal "soon."

We're also told NBC, which made an offer several months ago, is out as a bidder. FOX also made an offer but from everything we're hearing, it's now all about ABC.

Our sources say the plan is for ABC to announce the return of 'Idol' at the Upfronts a week from next.

"American Idol" has only been off the air a year, but seems it's still the hottest property out there, because we've learned ABC has now made an offer to buy the show.

Sources at ABC and Fremantle -- the company that produces the show -- tell TMZ the network contacted Fremantle last week and made the bid. We're told the network wanted to reboot the show for a March 2018 premiere.

We're also told ABC inquired about making Ryan Seacrest the host, but even last week the network knew it was on the verge of signing Ryan as co-host of 'Live' with Kelly Ripa. As a result, we're told ABC asked if the show could be shot in New York, which is now Ryan's home base. Our sources say Fremantle made it clear ... NYC was a no-go. The show will be shot in L.A.

We're told Ryan hasn't been approached by ABC about hosting the show and our ABC sources say it's virtually out of the question, given his commitment to 'Live.'

TMZ broke the story ... NBC and FOX were in a bidding war a few months ago to get the show, but Fremantle stopped negotiating because of squabbling with CORE, co-owner of 'A.I.'

Our sources say Fremantle is going back to CORE to see if they can agree to negotiate with ABC, and go back to NBC and FOX.

Randy Jackson's totally down for getting the "American Idol" band back together ... if someone else takes the lead and makes it happen.

We got Randy at LAX ... he repeatedly confirms with our guy he's in for a reboot, but suggests one of the other former stars of the show is the linchpin.