It looks though Jennifer Lopez is very close to signing a deal to return to the reality singing competition, ‘American Idol.’ The 44-year-old former judge was on the panel for Seasons 10 and 11 alongside Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson and loved by fans for her constructive criticism.
People reports JLO is “very close to signing a deal with Fox to return to American Idol next season.”
Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson all announced that they would not be coming back for Season 13. On Aug. 1, Fox confirmed that fourth judge country music star, Keith Urban would be returning.
“Fans loved him, and you can see how much he loved doing the show,” stated Fox network’s entertainment chairman, Kevin Reilly.
Black Eyed Peas front-man will.i.am, who held a seat on the U.K. version of “The Voice” is still in talks with Idol producers. Harry Connick, Jr., who was a guest mentor on Season 13 was in the running but is no longer being considered.
Rumors began floating that Idol alum and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson was also a possibility as well as former Idol runner-up for season eight Adam Lambert, but they no longer seem to be a contender.
Longtime executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick are exiting the show and bringing in three new producers, Per Blankens, Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager. The producers want to present three judges in the upcoming season, as opposed to four in recent seasons.
Normally the official announcement of the new judges isn’t released until September, when the second round of auditions bring the contestants face-to-face with the panel but with new producers in tow we might here the news sooner.
