Mariah Carey joins 'American Idol' as new judge.

 Popular singer Mariah Carey will be one of the replacements for departing judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.

Tyler, the front man for rock band Aerosmith, announced his exit earlier this month to focus on his revived music career. Lopez, too, has hinted at her departure in recent weeks and, on Monday, Reilly confirmed she will not return for the upcoming season.

Carey, 42, known for soaring ballads like "Hero" and "We Belong Together," had been named in reports as a frontrunner and she is expected to bring attention and viewers to the 11-year-old singing contest, which lost some 20 percent of its audience this past season.

"American Idol" creator Simon Fuller said Carey "defines the word 'Idol' and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her."

Reilly did not discuss the financial details of the agreement, but Carey previously has been reported to be in negotiations for a payday of around $15 million a year.

Carey, who was courted last year by Simon Cowell for the U.S. version of his "X Factor" singing show, joins a roster of superstar celebrity judges on reality TV. Britney Spears was signed earlier this year for Fox's upcoming second season of "The X Factor" and "shock-jock" Howard Stern joined NBC's summer series "America's Got Talent."

The show returns with Carey and at least one other new judge for a 12th season in January 2013