MARIAH CAREY & NICK MINAJ BOTH ANNOUNCE THEY WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO IDOL

This rumor has been flying around all season that the judges panel will be revamped do to low ratings and now the truth is out.  Mariah Carey and “American Idol” are parting ways. After one season, the pop diva has officially announced her exit from Fox’s singing competition.

Mariah isn’t the only judge leaving the show. Randy Jackson previously announced his departure after 12 seasons and Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are also rumored to be out. According to TMZ, Jennifer Lopez is in talks to return next season.

Her PR rep made the announcement. “W/ global success of ‘#Beautiful’ (#1 in 30+ countries so far) @MariahCarey confirms world tour & says goodbye 2 Idol,” tweeted PMK-BNC.

In addition to a world tour, Mariah is also working on a new album, due this summer. The first single “#Beautiful” featuring Miguel is currently No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Moments after Mariah Carey announced her departure from “American Idol,” Nicki Minaj has also officially confirmed that she is leaving the show.

The platinum rapper took to Twitter to share the news. “Thank you American Idol for a life changing experience! Wouldn’t trade it for the world! Time to focus on the Music!!! Mmmuuuaahhh!!!” tweeted a gracious Nicki.

 Producers for the singing competition released a statement confirming her exit. “Nicki Minaj is a superstar who brought a level of honesty and passion to ‘American Idol’ and who had a tremendous positive impact on so many contestants this season.

Nicki has been in New York filming scenes for the revenge comedy The Other Woman starring Cameron Diaz.

She is also working on her third album, which will mark a return to her hip-hop roots. 

VIDEO: TAMAR BRAXTON – ‘THE ONE’

She did that!..love this song...A pregnant Tamar Braxton enjoys the day in the Santa Monica Pier in the music video for "The One", the official second single from the R&B.

“The concept of the video is just a summer throwback,” Tamar told Rap-Up TV. “It kinda gives you that feeling when you was in high school and you was with your boyfriend or your girlfriend and you go to the park and you hang out and you get all cutie, and it’s just funners.”

“The One,” which samples the Notorious B.I.G.’s classic “Juicy,” is the second single off Tamar’s album Love and War, due this fall on Epic/Streamline.

ASHANTI DISPLAYS HER BANGING BIKINI BODY IN VEGAS

Wow...so were never eating again, Ashanti has been putting in work! While most celebrities left town after Memorial Day weekend, Ashanti kept the party going. The “Army Wives” star enjoyed some fun in the sun in Las Vegas earlier this week.

She proudly showed off her voluptuous body and toned abs on Instagram, modeling a yellow bikini that accentuated her curves while lounging in a cabana and splashing in the pool at the Palms.

She kicked it with Flo Rida and her momager Tina Douglas. “Not a lot of people can honestly say that their mom is one of their best friends,” said Ashanti. 

“We can hang out, talk about life.. & jus kick it.. She gives some of the best advise & will check a ########## in a heartbeat! lmaooo I love my mom she is truly beautiful inside & out!”

TYLER PERRY & OPRAH COVER ESSENCE MAG & THERE NEW SHOW ON OWN IS A BIG HIT!

B.F.F.'S Everyone knows Oprah and Tyler Perry are friends, but now they're business partners too. 

Perry, who has created two new shows for Oprah's television network, OWN, explains how the duo is adjusting to their new venture in the June issue of Essence. 

"The most important thing about coming together was making sure we would not lose our friendship because of the business. We had to establish ground rules," Perry, 43, says. 

According to OWN, the debut episode of  Tyler Perry’s new original drama series “The Haves and the Have Nots” last night, drew 1.77 million viewers total, making it the highest rated series debut in network history.

OWN premiered two back-to-back episodes; the first attracted 1.77 million total viewers for the premiere at 9 pm, building to over 1.8 million viewers tuning in for the second episode at 10 pm.
“The Haves and The Have Nots” looks like a HIT for Tyler Perry and the Oprah Winfrey Network! In the day of reality tv it’s exciting to see the resurgence of the soap opera. Shonda Rhimes is enjoying the rewards of producing a great story lines in the midst of reality television domination.

We hope that the viewers will continue to support “The Haves and The Have Nots“. Not only does this show signal a change in diversity on network TV; but it also gives actors an opportunity to WIN. We love to see good people WIN!

ANDRE 3000 MOM DIES AT 58, 1 DAY AFTER HIS BIRTHDAY

Sad news to report, Andre “3000” Benjamin is mourning the loss of his mother, Sharon Benjamin-Hodo, who passed away on Monday.

A representative for the OutKast rapper confirmed the sad news to Billboard.

According to unconfirmed reports, she was found dead in her Atlanta home on her son’s 38th birthday.

Benjamin-Hodo was the founder of the Starlight Camp for underprivileged children, and served as a manager for Andre and Big Boi early in their career.

Andre’s peers including Jermaine Dupri and Janelle Monáe sent their condolences. “Our Prayers and love go out to our friend André 3000 & family during this time,” tweeted Janelle.

The Benjamin family asks for the continued support of the Starlight Camp in lieu of sending flowers.  RIP Mama Benjamin you will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Benjamin family.

VIDEO: USHER CONFIRMS ANOTHER SEASON OF THE VOICE & TALKS ABOUT JUSTIN BIEBER PROBLEMS

Usher is coming back for another season.  The 34-year-old confirmed that he will be returning as a coach on NBC's hit singing competition The Voice during an intimate chat on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, on Tuesday.

The successful music producer not only expressed his excitement over coming back as a vocal mentor but also offered some reflections on his troubled protégé Justin Bieber.

Clearly in a relaxed and candid mood the 55-year-old talk show host asked the hit-maker: ‘So you’re returning or you’re not returning to The Voice?’

With his signature dramatic flair, Usher smiled coyly: ‘I plan on coming back.’ The Yeah! singer admitted he is ‘going to go away for a minute.’

  Usher went on to explain that he is filming a new movie in which he plays boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard in the upcoming film Hands of Stone. The role demands that he train in the pugilistic art, which will detract from both his successful music and television career. 

Ellen then broached a more sensitive topic: ‘Can we talk about young Justin Bieber for a second? Justin who is you know, I love him. He’s been here many times.  We had him on the show… first.’

Usher quickly replied, ‘I brought him here first,’ referring to how he was the initial champion of the young pop singer’s talent.

The blonde comedienne agreed, saying of the 19-year-old: ‘Yes, you brought him here first. Obviously we’ve been with him the whole way.  He seems to be um…. He’s young.’

The R&B singer nodded, saying: ‘Key word, you started with young.  And I think all of us in some way have humble beginnings that pan out to be incredible and we hope that in his transition as friends and family who has helped him be who he is.

Peep Video Below:

BET FIRST SCRIPTED SHOW STARRING GABRIELLE UNION "BEING MARY JANE" SET TO PREMIERE IN JULY

BET’s first scripted series ‘Being Mary Jane’ is finally due to make its premiere on Tuesday, July 2nd at 10:30 pm.

BMJ stars actress Gabrielle Union as a successful Atlanta news woman who struggles to balance family and career.

The pilot will air directly after the season finale of ‘The Game,’ which despite its many cast changes, continues to be a ratings winner for the network.

Two new clips of the pilot have been unveiled by BET and both can be seen below.

The series, originally scheduled to air this fall, has now been pushed back to an early 2014 release date.  It looks interesting.

VIDEO: JENNIFER LOPEZ PERFORMS ‘LIVE IT UP’ ON ‘BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT’

J.Lo has been working on her 10th album with Chris Brown, Future, and RedOne, whose label 2101 Records/Capitol Records she is signed to. “The album is almost done,” RedOne told Rap-Up TV. “It has at least four or five bangers, incredible hits.”

Following her appearances on “American Idol” and the Billboard Music Awards, Jennifer Lopez made her way overseas to the U.K. 

The hot mamacita put on another over-the-top performance of her single “Live It Up” on “Britain’s Got Talent.” But this time, she rocked the stage solo with her dancers (Pitbull didn’t make the trip).

VIDEO: KELLY ROWLAND BREAKS DOWN ON STAGE, WHILE PERFORMING "DIRTY LAUNDRY"

Kelly Rowland struggles while she sings her new song "Dirty Laundry" on stage.  Kelly, let it all out during the kickoff of the “Lights Out” tour with The-Dream in Washington, D.C. last night. The Destiny’s Child diva performed her emotional single “Dirty Laundry” off her upcoming album Talk a Good Game, but she couldn’t hold back tears as she shared her confessions with the audience at The Fillmore.

“He turned me against my sister, I missed ya,” sang Kelly before breaking down (4:19).

But her fans cheered her on and after wiping away her tears, she picked it back up and finished the song.

BOO GAZING: CELEBS OUT: HALLE BERRY, WILL SMITH, MARY J BLIGE, HEDI KLUM, KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN & MORE

Halle Berry and daughter Nahla Aubry out and about in Los Angeles, California.

Shakira and her little guy Milan Mebarak are photographed leaving Bel Bambini in Beverly Hills.

Will and Jaden Smith attend UEFA's annual festival at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, England.

Mel B leaves the airport after spending time in Nice, France with her husband Stephen Belafonte.

Solange performs at The Field Day Festival in London. Solange will also be rocking out.

Mary J. Blige performs at Caesars Circus Maximus Theater in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Heidi Klum strikes a pose at a photo call for Germany’s Next Topmodel at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, in Berlin, Germany.

Happy Big 3-0! Scott Disick celebrates his 30th birthday ‘Lord Disick-Style’ at Hyde Bellagio in Las Vegas with Kourtney Kardashian and Kris Jenner.

Cameron Diaz smiles for photographers at at the F1 Monaco Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo.

When we grow up we want a body like this at 46, Nicole Murphy sports bikini in Hawaii while fiancé Michael Strahan ops to stay covered up. The couple are on holiday in Maui.

New parents Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose at ‘Ditch Fridays’ during the Memorial Day Weekend At Palms Resort in Las Vegas.

Paris Jackson channels her inner cowgirl outside her mom Debbie Rowe’s ranch in LA.