All of the mainstream media is reporting Aretha Franklin wants to be a judge on American Idol. With Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler out, and the strong possibility of Randy Jackson not returning, the show is ready to make drastic changes according to insiders.

One report even says Franklin wants Patti LaBelle to be a judge as well.

RnBAmbassador said:

All of the mainstream media is reporting Aretha Franklin wants to be a judge on American Idol. With Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler out, and the strong possibility of Randy Jackson not returning, the show is ready to make drastic changes according to insiders.

One report even says Franklin wants Patti LaBelle to be a judge as well.

talk about a tragedy! i mean yeah it would give the judges credit, though steven tyler was their first real singing talent up as a judge. this would be a crazy move and i cant see a network buying into it, mainly because aretha and patti are basically the same judge, plus FOX wants to get younger, and thats not how you get younger

Already posted

Queen of Soul expresses interest in joining 'American Idol'

Aretha Franklin told CNN she has long been a fan of "American Idol" and is interested in being a judge on the show.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Aretha Franklin tells CNN she is interested in joining "American Idol" as a judge
• Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez announced this week they are leaving the show
• Fox declined to comment about Franklin

(CNN) -- "American Idol" lost two stars this week when judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez announced they would not be returning next season, but the hit Fox show could gain itself The Queen.

Aretha Franklin, an 18-time Grammy Award winner who Rolling Stone proclaimed the greatest female singer of all time, told CNN in an e-mail Saturday that she is interested in joining the show as a judge.

Franklin, 70, who wowed the Essence Music Festival crowd last week in New Orleans and is now performing in Las Vegas, says she has long been a fan of the show. Now instead of watching it with the rest of America, she's ready to play a vital role in choosing the next "American Idol."

And as the Queen of Soul would do, she's already thinking about bringing along a sidekick: songstress Patti LaBelle.

Our picks for the next 'American Idol' judge

Fox declined to comment on Franklin on Saturday night.

The addition of Franklin could help Fox stop the ratings slide of "Idol," which saw it lose its spot as the top show of the year to NBC's "Sunday Night Football."

The addition of similar singing contests to primetime television has increased the competition for viewers.

Fox's "The X Factor" recently added pop star Britney Spears after booting former "Idol" judge Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls. NBC's "The Voice" -- "Idol's" closest competitor -- has gained ground with judges Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton.

I don't watch American Idol,but I think Aretha would be a great addition to a show like that.A real singer judging other singers.What a concept!

Daunting as hell to be judged by the Queen Of Soul though

I dont no Aretha can be very bitchy look at all shit shes thrown at female singers

you can bet she'll love the men singers more

Randy Jackson

Jimmy Iovine

Mariah Carey

Randy Jackson ---------- veteran, honest, decent insight

Jimmy Iovine ------------- veteran, honest, insider, knowledgable

Mariah Carey ------------- fucken crazy, train wreck, slutty wardrobe

SoulAlive said:

Queen of Soul expresses interest in joining 'American Idol'

By Roland S. Martin, CNN Contributor

updated 9:44 PM EDT, Sat July 14, 2012

Aretha Franklin told CNN she has long been a fan of "American Idol" and is interested in being a judge on the show.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Aretha Franklin tells CNN she is interested in joining "American Idol" as a judge
• Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez announced this week they are leaving the show
• Fox declined to comment about Franklin

(CNN) -- "American Idol" lost two stars this week when judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez announced they would not be returning next season, but the hit Fox show could gain itself The Queen.

Aretha Franklin, an 18-time Grammy Award winner who Rolling Stone proclaimed the greatest female singer of all time, told CNN in an e-mail Saturday that she is interested in joining the show as a judge.

Franklin, 70, who wowed the Essence Music Festival crowd last week in New Orleans and is now performing in Las Vegas, says she has long been a fan of the show. Now instead of watching it with the rest of America, she's ready to play a vital role in choosing the next "American Idol."

And as the Queen of Soul would do, she's already thinking about bringing along a sidekick: songstress Patti LaBelle.

Our picks for the next 'American Idol' judge

Fox declined to comment on Franklin on Saturday night.

The addition of Franklin could help Fox stop the ratings slide of "Idol," which saw it lose its spot as the top show of the year to NBC's "Sunday Night Football."

The addition of similar singing contests to primetime television has increased the competition for viewers.

Fox's "The X Factor" recently added pop star Britney Spears after booting former "Idol" judge Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls. NBC's "The Voice" -- "Idol's" closest competitor -- has gained ground with judges Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton.

shellyk84 said:

Caramelpfe said:

shellyk84 said:

I dont no Aretha can be very bitchy look at all shit shes thrown at female singers

you can bet she'll love the men singers more

This I couldn't think of anything worse.

agreed love Aretha but still

PUT AUNTIE REE REE ON THE DAMN SHOW! I'D ACTUALLY WATCH IT!

Franklin, 70, told CNN in an email that she is interested in becoming a judge on Fox's American Idol show. She said she has been a longtime fan of the show and wand to take on a more active role. The 18-time Grammy Award winner is also thinking of bringing onboard friend Patti LaBelle.

Some media are saying Franklin, Mariah Carey and Adam Labert - woah!!!!!

dreamfactory313 said:

PUT AUNTIE REE REE ON THE DAMN SHOW! I'D ACTUALLY WATCH IT!

I think she would bring the right amount of drama and intrigue to the show.The "bitchiness" that a few posters mentioned could make for exciting television plus,I just think it would be refreshing to see a REAL SINGER judging other people's vocal talents.Makes more sense to me,lol.

Forget Idol. Give her her own judge show! CBS are you listening?

RnBAmbassador said:

One report even says Franklin wants Patti LaBelle to be a judge as well.

No way that's going to happen. I would be surprised if Aretha gets the spot but no way they are going to allow two veteran R&B divas sit on the panel. Over half the people who watch that show don't even know who they are.

Besides, will Refa be willing to do all of that traveling that will be required of her as far as going from city to city for the auditions???

[Edited 7/16/12 6:40am]

Yes, she would be an ideal judge given her talent and experience. But I don't know. Doing that show just seems so behind Aretha.

Does she know it's not a cooking competition?

(LOL...... I'm joking!)