Right now, the Bon Jovi singer is the top choice due to his solid music knowledge and long-lasting success in the industry. According to Radar, a recent report said:
“Jon is the undisputed top contender.”
The rumors have been around for some time now, and a source claimed that the rocker was requesting a very high budget for his inclusion in the show.
While it’s not official how much salary he demands, some sources claim it to be around $25 million.
Although a friend of Jon’s said he’s not even talking about hosting, an insider from Idol revealed:
“The crux of the matter is money. To secure a true rock icon of his caliber, one must invest accordingly!”
If Idol bosses give in to Jon’s rumored demands, his $25 million salary would be more than what Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan make combined. Richie reportedly earns $10 million, while Bryan brings in $12 million.
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler was also among the juries of the show from 2010 to 2012. However, he faced criticism from his bandmates. The band’s guitarist Joe Perry said he didn’t want Aerosmith’s name involved in Tyler’s business:
“It’s a reality show designed to get people to watch that station and sell advertising. It’s one step above [Teenage Mutant] ‘Ninja Turtles.’ I’ll tell you one thing when we put this band together; this is not something that [Steven] would do. It’s his business, but I don’t want Aerosmith’s name involved with it. We have nothing to do with it.”
Tyler later admitted to having mixed feelings about his time as a judge. He joined due to conflicts with his band, stating to Rolling Stone magazine that he both loved and hated the job, but it paid well.