Kanye West Passes on American Idol, Doesn't Want to go 'Mainstream,' Source Says
Reports are indicating that new father Kanye West was offered a spot on American Idol's judging panel for the upcoming 13th season, but turned the offer down because he thought it would have a negative impact in his reputation.
"He didn't want to go that mainstream," a source told Us Weekly. The rapper, 36, is the proud father of 2-month-old daughter, North, and has been very reserved about discussing his child, but is still worried how his fans might perceive him. "He didn't want to lose any street cred. So he turned it down."
There were other rumors that the show's producers also met with three other big names for the spot including; Will.i.am, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Rodney Jerkins. However all indications point to songwriter and record producer Dr. Luke a.k.a. Lukasz Gottwald.
It was also recently revealed that West reportedly spent $2 million on two new armored SUVs to ensure that his family has the best protection available.
"Kanye is fully aware that his new family is so high-profile they attract the attention of weirdo's and psychopaths," a source close to the rapper reportedly told The Daily Star. "He aims to leave nothing to chance."
West revealed his thoughts about fatherhood in a previous interview with The New York Times.
"One of the things ... just to be protective, that I would do anything to protect my child or my child's mother. As simple as that," West said in the interview before welcoming his child into the world. "I don't want to explain too much into what my thoughts on, you know, fatherhood are, because I've not fully developed those thoughts yet. I don't have a kid yet."
