Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Exclusive: Mariah Carey Negotiating for Big “American Idol” Finale Performance

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It’s not completely a done deal, but I’m told this will happen: Mariah Carey will perform on the “American Idol” finale on May 16th. She will sing her brand new single called “#Beautiful.” (That’s  hashtag, if you were wondering.) I told you last night exclusively that Mariah’s video of “#Beautiful” will debut on this Wednesday’s “Idol.”

One thing still not certain: who will sing it with her? Miguel, who performs the duet on the single, is on tour and may not be able to do it. He’s got to be in Liverpool, England two days later to open for Alicia Keys. Sources say something very cool is in the works. (Nick Cannon, maybe? Nicki Minaj? Stay tuned.)

It does seem like with falling ratings and re-considerations, Mariah and “Idol” are making up instead of breaking up. Isn’t that swell? I do hope when she performs”#Beautiful” on “Idol,” Mariah sings a slightly longer version than the one being released this Monday to radio stations at 7am. It’s a great song and deserves a big finale. Carey will jump from the “Idol” finale to a special appearance on “Good Morning America” just eight days later on May 24th.

Did I tell you yesterday that “#Beautiful” reminds me of “Dreamlover,” Mariah’s 1993 smash? It’s got that feel. It’s also got a cool retro vibe. There’s some static in the background and it sounds like a record — a 45 rpm record– is playing.

PS The two hour “Idol” finale will feature lots of the show’s past participants. Also, I’ve heard Carly Rae Jepsen will call them, maybe.

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Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman
Roger Friedman is the founder and editor-in-chief of Showbiz411. He wrote the FOX411 column on FoxNews.com from 1999 to 2009, where he covered Michael Jackson, and previously wrote the "Intelligencer" column at New York magazine in the mid-1990s, where he covered the O.J. Simpson trial. He also edited Fame magazine. His bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, Vogue, Details, and the Miami Herald. He is a voting member of the Critics Choice Awards (Film and Television branches), and his movie reviews are tracked by Rotten Tomatoes. With D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus, he co-produced the 2002 documentary "Only the Strong Survive," which screened at Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.

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