Jennifer Lopez 'American Idol' Deal Nearly Finalized: Singer Returns as Judge for Season 13
Looks like Jenny is really from the block, as she returns to the post she left in 2011. According to reports, Jennifer Lopez is close to finalizing her deal with Fox to return as an "American Idol" judge next season.
Deadline.com reveals that J. Lo has already reached an agreement with the network on the "major deal points" of her contract to finally rejoin the singing competition. The "Live It Up" singer will be returning to the show together with last season's judge Keith Urban and A.I. host Ryan Seacrest.
Lopez, who served as a judge on the show for two seasons (season 10 and 11), left after feeling that she had "to get back to doing other things", Rolling Stone noted. She also revealed in a radio interview with Seacrest that former co-judge Steven Tyler's decision to leave "Idol" affected her choice to pack up as well.
But just a season after her departure, Jennifer is now ready to take on season 13 of "American Idol."
Deadline also notes that the singer will likely rake in around $15 million for the upcoming season, much like her paycheck during her last season with the singing competition.
Moreover, according to E! News, Fox President Kevin Reilly has already hinted at Lopez's comeback during his announcement of Urban's return to A.I. last week.
"Jennifer has been a close part of the show all along...there have been discussions there," he said.
Aside from J. Lo, other names are continually being added to the rumor mix of "Idol" judges, including Will.I.Am and former "Idol" contestants Adam Lambert, Clay Aiken and Jennifer Hudson. However, Reilly kept mum about all the names and refused to give any hints on the other artists that will be sitting on the panel.
"I can't talk too much about it because we have to continue our yearly tradition of me not being able to say anything about the show," Reilly told the E! However, he added that Fox is looking for judges "that are good at the job, that people like and that refocus the attention on the contestants."