The planned "American Idol" 2018 reboot on ABC has not yet taken off but production is already having problems. Negotiations for Ryan Seacrest, who is being asked to return to host the singing competition, has reportedly hit a snag as he's asking for equal pay as Katy Perry.
Sources told Variety that Seacrest is considering turning down the deal because he found out he would be paid less than Perry. When producers of the "American Idol" 2018 reboot arranged for the "Firework" singer to take a seat in the judges' panel, they offered her a lucrative $25 million deal.
Perry confirmed she was being paid "more than like pretty much any guy that's been on that show," as she revealed to radio host Carolina Bermudez. So far, she's the only personality on board the reboot. ABC has yet to find other judges as well as seal the deal with Seacrest.
ABC plans on having a familiar face for the "American Idol" 2018 reboot to help with continuity and build on the show's legacy. However, keeping both Perry and Seacrest could run production cost when work on the show has not even rolled out.
As for other familiar faces, former judge Simon Cowell expressed no interest in returning to "American Idol." Speaking with Extra, Cowell confirmed he was asked but he said no. "It was a different time with Randy (Jackson), Ryan (Seacrest) and Paula (Abdul). You can't recreate that," he said.
It's unclear if ABC also asked back Jackson and Abdul for the judges' panel. Nevertheless, Abdul also expressed no desire when she appeared on Today.
When news first broke ABC won the bidding for the "American Idol" 2018 reboot, executives eyed Kelly Clarkson, the show's first winner, to sit as judge as well. Clarkson, however, is already tied to another singing competition, "The Voice" on NBC, which will run in spring 2018 in the same season as "American Idol's" return.
