'American Idol': Toby Keith Turned Down Season 12 Judging Opportunity

Toby Keith Turned Down 'American Idol'

Though many celebrities are allegedly fighting to join the "American Idol" judging panel, Toby Keith is not one of them.

According to an upcoming Inland Empire Weekly cover story [via Examiner], Toby Keith was offered a judging spot on the upcoming season of "American Idol." The country singer declined the opportunity, saying the "Idol" schedule was just too demanding.

Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler left the singing competition show earlier this month, both saying the show's schedule didn't allow them enough time to focus on their careers.

Meanwhile, a few Hollywood stars are looking to land a spot on the judge's panel, like Charlie Sheen, for example.

"It seems so out of the blue that it almost made perfect sense. I thought this could be a lot of fun," he told Ryan Seacrest. "Seriously ... I'm genuinely interested. It's so different, it could be radical."

Adam Lambert rumors have also been swirling, but the "Idol" runner-up claims he knows nothing about them.

"Listen, if -– and I say 'if' with a capital I-F -– if they were to approach me and if they were to say, 'We want you to be a judge on the show,' I would love that," he said. "I would jump at the chance," he said on U.K.'s Capital FM. "I owe my career to 'American Idol.' I mean, if it weren't for 'American Idol,' I doubt that ... I would be sitting here with you ... I think it would be really exciting to be sitting at a judging panel and trying to help people reach their dreams."

In more concrete "Idol" news, Mariah Carey officially joined the show on Monday. “As a singer, songwriter and producer, it’s going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back with 'American Idol,'” she said in a statement.

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