Keith Urban To Join American Idol As Judge?

According to a new report, “American Idol” might get a little country next season with the help of Keith Urban as a judge.

The Australian country crooner (who happens to be a judge on the Down Under version of “The Voice”) is “nearing” signing on to the FOX reality singing competition, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A source told the trade mag that that Keith could be joining already announced Mariah Carey, and rumored second judge Nicki Minaj, for a cool $3-$4 million salary for Season 12.

A rep for FOX had no comment when contacted by Access Hollywood with regards to the new “Idol” report.

Previously, Brad Paisley was said to be in the mix, but according to THR, he dropped out of the conversation over potential salaries.

Keith is currently on tour, but earlier this year he was just getting back into the swing of things following vocal cord surgery, which forced him to stay silent for several weeks.

The Nashville-based star told Billy Bush and Kit Hoover on Access Hollywood Live back in January that keeping quiet for three weeks after the surgery was difficult when it came to dealing with his wife, Nicole Kidman, and particularly, his oldest daughter, Sunday, who at the time was just 3-and-a-half.

“Not being able to talk for three weeks, that’s a long time,” Keith said. “If you have to engage in some sort of heated discussion, the other person can talk and I just have to write.

“[Sunday] can’t read, so I had that issue too… Mum had to communicate,” he laughed.

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