Why Mariah Carey quit Idol after just one season

Mike Gallagher

May 30, 2013 - 18:23

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Why Mariah Carey quit Idol after just one season

This June 2, 2012 file photo shows American singer Mariah Carey performing during a concert in Monaco. Carey will be joining the cast of "American Idol." She told a meeting of the Television Critics Association that she is excited to join as a j

MARIAH Carey has quit 'American Idol' after just one season.

The 43-year-old singer has confirmed she will undertake a world tour following the success of her latest single Beautiful.

“W/ global success of “#Beautiful” (#1 in 30+ countries so far) @MariahCarey confirms world tour & says goodbye 2 Idol http://mariahcarey.com (sic).” she retweeted from her PR reps.

The star was reportedly paid $18 million for the gig.

Keith Urban Mariah Carey Nicki Minaj American Idol

In this Jan. 8, 2013 photo, from left, Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj from "American Idol" attend the Fox Winter TCA Tour at the Langham Huntington Hotel, in Pasadena, Calif. "American Idol" retus Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, for season 12. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)

It's going to be a busy year for the singer who told People magazine she was putting the finishing touches on her new album, headlining the fourth of July Macy's celebrations and appearing in new movie The Butler.

Carey has announced her departure from the show just weeks after Randy Jackson - the only original judge remaining on the show - announced he will also not be retuing next season.

"Yo! Yo! Yo! To put all of the speculation to the rest, after 12 years of judging on American Idol I have decided it is time to leave after this season," he says. "I am very proud of how we forever changed television and the music industry. It's been a life changing opportunity but I am looking forward to focusing on my company Dream Merchant 21 and other business ventures."

There is no word yet on whether Keith Urban or Nicki Minaj will retu.