With the departure of judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez from American Idol, the void left finds Aretha Franklin publicly lobbying for the job and Fox scouting other pop veterans to fill the judgeship slots.

A week after performing at the Essence Music Festival, the Queen of Soul admitted to CNN that she was interested in becoming a judge on Idol, saying she’s been a long-time fan of the show.

While Fox would not comment on Franklin’s offer, names such as Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey were being tossed around as possible judges. Looking to high-powered pop figures would be an obvious choice for the talent-show series, which has been losing viewers in its 11th season.

And in recruiting iconic talent from the pop world, Idol would be keeping up with its competitor, The X Factor, which recently hired Britney Spears and Demi Lovato after the firing of judges Paula Abdul and the Pussycat Dolls’ Nicole Scherzinger.

The day after Tyler, 56, announced he was leaving Idol to concentrate on his job as front man for Aerosmith, Lopez, 42, said she was also leaving the show.

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(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)