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Hollywood Shorts-Reports: Jennifer Lopez Joining 'American Idol'

Friday July 30, 2010 Posted 1 year, 9 months ago by Belky

Reports: Jennifer Lopez Joining 'American Idol'

The Great 'American Idol' Shakeup is moving full speed ahead following Thursday night's bombshell that Ellen DeGeneres is leaving the show. Now, there are reports Jennifer Lopez -- no stranger to 'Idol' judging rumors -- is close to inking a deal to replace the departing DeGeneres.

Though Team Lopez and FOX officials have not yet commented, a Deadline Hollywood source claims the singer's manager has been working on the deal "under the utmost secrecy" for a month. The AP is reporting the same, citing a person familiar with the negotiations.

 

Her appointment to the judges' table could be a boon for Lopez's career, which has stalled in recent years, resulting in her leaving longtime record label Sony. The job wouldn't be much of a stretch for the singer-actress, who appeared on the show in 2007 as a mentor and received rave reviews for her work with the singers.

During her short tenure on the show, critics slammed DeGeneres for her often vague and seemingly scripted critiques of the contestants, as well as her lack of experience in the music industry.

Such complaints would not apply to Lopez, 41, a veteran singer with nine top ten singles and worldwide album sales in excess of 25 million who began her career as a dancer on the hit show 'In Living Color.'

DeGeneres announced Thursday that she is leaving the show after only one season, following fellow judge Simon Cowell out the door.

"A couple months ago, I let FOX and the 'American Idol' producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me," she said. "It was a difficult decision to make, but my work schedule became more than I bargained for. I also realized this season that while I love discovering, supporting and nurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings."

DeGeneres told the network she would hold off on leaving 'Idol' until they could "figure out where they wanted to take the panel next."

Kara DioGuardi, who just completed her second year on the show, is not under contract next year and FOX has not announced if she'll return. Randy Jackson is expected to stay on the panel. While the network has not announced who will replace Cowell, rumors are flying that returning producer Nigel Lythgoe (who is a judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance') could fill the seat.