Mary J Blige to Be Next Guest Judge on Auditions for "American Idol"

Mary J Blige is to appear as a guest judge on American Idol.

Photo: Mary J Blige to Be Next Guest Judge on Auditions for "American Idol"

Mary J Blige to Be Next Guest Judge on Auditions for

The Just Fine singer is set to join judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi at the Atlanta auditions, reports E! Online.

Blige follows in the footsteps of Victoria Beckham, who filmed a guest slot as a judge on the TV talent show in the wake of long-time judge Paula Abdul's departure.

I Kissed A Girl singer Katy Perry is also being lined up for a guest judging slot and it is thought other celebs will also spend time on the panel , The Press Association reports.

If the report in Britain's News of the World is true, it seems as if loopy Paula Abdul, whose nurturing and nuttiness helped build the show into a phenomenon, may have been a mere pawn in another lame attempt to re-re-launch the Victoria Beckham brand in America.

According to various reports during Paula's negotiations, she had been offered between $3 million and $5 million per year to stay on and was allegedly seeking $10 million (a fraction of what Simon Cowell gets to buy black T-shirts).

But now, News of the World reports that Ms. Beckham (the former "Posh" Spice), who should be a judge on "America's Top Mannequin," has been offered nearly $5 million for the year to replace Paula , Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It has been reported that singer Mary J Blige will be the next guest judge on the auditions for the new series of 'American Idol'.

People.com says that Blige will join judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi at the auditions in Atlanta.

Victoria Beckham is currently working as guest judge at the show's Boston auditions , RTE.ie reports.