Diddy Eyeing Simon Cowell's Job on "American Idol"

By: Joyce Lee
Topics: Television ,; News

Sean "Diddy" Combs performs onstage during the 2010 BET Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on June 27, 2010 in Los Angeles.(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (CBS) Looks as if Diddy can now be added to the expanding list of celebs who are in the mix to grab Simon Cowell's spot on "American Idol."

PICTURES: Who Will Replace Simon Cowell?
PICTURES: Sean "Diddy" Combs

The rap mogul put himself forward for the open judging position and revealed that he's eyeing Cowell's "Idol" salary.

"At first when people were asking me if I was interested in the job I was like no...that's not my style," Diddy said to George Lopez on Wednesday's "Lopez Tonight."

"But once I heard what Simon makes - I would love the job. I've got six kids. If I would get the same check Simon gets, we would have a ball."

The Bad Boy boss is no stranger to the "Idol" environment. During season 9, he and his Dirty Money crew performed on stage and debuted their single, "Hello, Good Morning."

He joins a bevy of big names, like Chris Isaak, Bret Michaels, Harry Connick Jr. and Jamie Foxx, on the list of possible replacements.

Jessica Simpson is another rumored candidate for Cowell's job. According to Entertainment Weekly, the reality TV star and singer has already met with "Idol" execs in the hopes of taking over Cowell's judging duties.

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by stephanieb0155 July 31, 2010 8:07 AM EDT: No one can 'replace' Simon, so that is the first mistake. Simon was a virtual unknown until he went on American Idol. So sad that the show is losing 3 judges, however the selection of new ones must be considered very carefully or the show will 'circle the bowl'. Jessica Simpson-NO NO NO, Diddy-NO NO NO, Steven Tyler-NO NO NO, one of these 3-Chris Isaak, Bret Michaels, Harry Connick Jr. or Jamie Foxx-YES. Someone with a music talent background is a must, with 'lesser baggage' or again, the audience will be 'lost'. Jennifer Lopez will never agree, but she would be a decent choice.Too bad Sharon Osbourne is already working on another project.Stretch out further to the older crowd who have been around longer and who have seen the changes in music through the years, like Olivia Newton-John, Ringo Starr, start thinking outside the box.; Reply to this comment


by Quirky111 July 30, 2010 2:45 PM EDT: TMZ is saying that now that Simon, Ellen, and Kara are off the show Idol producers are going to hire Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler! LOL, who knows who will be sitting there when the show starts again. I think that no matter who Idol producers get at this point American Idol is dying a fast and painful death.; Reply to this comment


by captivityhurts July 30, 2010 9:03 AM EDT: LMAO what a pathetic list of "judges". Jessica Simpson? wtaf?? DIDDY? Oh great isn't there enough rap garbage crap on the radio as it is, we need MORE? Connick acted like a lunatic when he mentored (and performed horribly), Foxx is egocentric and will be completely annoying...have you heard his "music" lol? Idol died. The PHENOMENAL ADAM LAMBERT killed it. The producers were in such a panic after him, they lost their minds hahahah.; Reply to this comment


by erasmus111 July 29, 2010 7:49 PM EDT: Diddy said that he wasn't interested in the job until he heard about the money that Simon made. Well, first off, he wouldn't be making the money Simon did. And secondly, if you are only interested in the money, forget it. The last thing they need is some idiot on there not taking the job seriously. They need to give it to someone that is truly interested in it, and knows a LOT about music. Just because you can "sing", doesn't mean you know a lot about music.

The only one I think is up for the job is Harry Connick Jr.; Reply to this comment