LOS ANGELES — Jennifer Lopez will be back at the
“American Idol” judges’ table with Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson now
that she has signed on for the 11th season of the Fox show.
After weeks of speculation, “American Idol” executive
producer Nigel Lythgoe confirmed the news that Lopez would return to
the series on “On Air With Ryan Seacrest” Wednesday.
“I am delighted to say that all three judges, along
with the brilliant host of ‘American Idol,’ is back for the next
season,” Lythgoe said over the phone.
Auditions with all three judges will begin in a couple of weeks, Seacrest added on Twitter.
But it comes as no surprise to many that the
celebrated panel would be back, despite early skepticism following the
departure of original judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul — especially
after the newly installed judges helped garner 10 Emmy nods for the
reality competition.
Tyler’s deal with “American Idol” runs for two more
seasons but Lopez had initially signed a one-year agreement. However,
her return could mean a pay raise for the singer, who reportedly will be
getting $20 million instead of the $12 million she got on her first
go-round.
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