Carey, who has more number one Billboard singles (18) than any solo artist in history, will join the veteran TV competition as a judge, Fox announced Monday.
The global pop artist has already appeared on the show as a guest mentor and performer, but now she'll appear every episode when the show starts up again in 2013.
"Mariah Carey is the real deal," Fox's Mike Darnell, president of alternative entertainment at Fox Broadcasting, said in a statement. "Not only is she one of the best-selling artists and performers on the planet and one of the world’s most gifted vocalists, she also is a successful songwriter, record producer and actress.
"She has a deep knowledge of music and a career insight that will make her a really amazing asset to our judges’ table and to our contestants. It's the dream of almost everyone who auditions for Idol to sing like Mariah and we couldn't be happier to have her be part of the show."
Idol has had seven judges in its 11 seasons, including the original trio of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. Ellen DeGeneres, Kara DioGuardi, Lopez and Tyler also have had judging stints.
Lopez and Tyler both announced their departures on back-to-back days.
"She has a deep knowledge of music and a career insight that will make her a really amazing asset ... to our contestants."Carey has been long-rumored to occupy a seat on the Idol judging panel. Cowell reportedly also tried to court her to appear on rival TV show The X Factor.
"As a singer, songwriter and producer, it's going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back with American Idol," Carey said in a statement. "I can't wait to channel my creative energy as a part of this show which is a massive global phenomenon."
Carey, who has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, is in the studio working on a new album. Her next single, "Triumphant," is slated to come out in August.
| 'American Idol' Sets Social TV RecordsFox's announcement details Carey's accomplishments:
"With a distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting and producing talent, Carey has defined the modern pop performance. As a singer/songwriter/producer, she has been recognized with five Grammy Awards, nine American Music Awards, Billboard’s Artist of the Decade Award, the World Music Award for World’s Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium and BMI’s Icon Award, to name a few.
"She has two consecutive and unparalleled Billboard Song of the Decade titles: “One Sweet Day” (with Boyz II Men); and “We Belong Together,” further marking her massive presence on the charts since her 1990 song debut “Vision of Love.” Mariah became the second artist in history and the first female performer to have a song debut at No. 1 with “Fantasy” (1995), the groundbreaking collaboration with O.D.B. of the innovative rap group Wu-Tang Clan. Carey’s original holiday classic, “All I Want For Christmas is You,” redefined its place in pop culture as one of the greatest holiday hits of all time when it reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 2011, 17 years after its debut. Carey’s influential and stellar contribution to the music industry spans multiple genres and is showcased through a multifaceted hit catalogue as well as a long list of diverse collaborations.