Word is that superstar Mariah Carey is going to work for Simon Cowell as a judge on the US version of “X Factor” next year.
Cowell has long been pushing for British singer and style queen Cheryl Cole, a close friend and judge of the UK version of the show.
But Fox, which will air “X Factor” starting next fall, was worried that — despite her high profile in Britain — Cole is a virtual unknown here.
“Look, I’ve said I’d love Cheryl out there but whether it will happen, who knows?” Cowell told the London newspaper News of the World over the weekend.
“Mariah Carey would be an amazing addition to the US show,” he said. “And she’s exactly the right caliber of star that we want for the show.”
If she does sign, Carey will join Cowell and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, winner of “Dancing With the Stars” last season, as a judge.
Carey’s husband, Nick Cannon, also works for Simon. Cannon, a standup comic, is host of the Cowell-owned summer series “America’s Got Talent.”
Carey had been mentioned early as a possible judge on “American Idol” after the show dumped Kara DioGuardi. But Jennifer Lopez ended up with the job.