Mariah Carey personally announced yesterday that she has signed on the dotted line to become the newest judge on “American Idol.” While a final judge to join Randy Jackson and Mariah has yet to be selected, Mariah has already made headlines with the reported million dollar contract she has made with the show.

It’s gonna be so much fun working on @AmericanIdol. As a singer-songwriter, I’m excited to help find and nurture new talent. LYM! –MC

— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) July 23, 2012

Husband Nick Cannon said last week that “American Idol” would have to cough up a whole lot of money to get Mariah in the judge’s chair, and he was right. Mariah will get more than $17 million for just one year judging the show, which beats out the $12 million former judge Jennifer Lopez received for her two years.

The deal makes Mariah the highest paid judge on a reality television series. According to Vulture.com:

That’s for one season, with an option to renew, according to People, and it makes Carey the highest paid judge on a current reality show (Britney Spears is making $16 million over on X Factor; Christina Aguilera will reportedly get $10 million for her third season of The Voice).

In case you didn’t know, Randy is actually Mariah’s co-manager and the New York Times reports that he was “very instrumental” in bringing her to the show. But while it’s likely he will be on the show next season, he hasn’t made it official just yet.

Mariah will have a lot on her plate soon. She’s in the process of finishing up her next album and will release her first single from the project, “Triumphant” featuring Rick Ross and Meek Mill, next month. Congrats!