Marc Malkin of E! Online gets scoops and he is always on the money. So take this one to the bank: Jennifer Lopez will be back for season 11 of American Idol. Malkin reported on July 12, 2011 that the superstar singer, dancer, actor, writer, producer and personality, and beauty, has, a "source" told him, agreed to a 2nd season; an announcement could come "any day now."
Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson have already signed to return, Tyler also for his 2nd season on the panel and Jackson his 11th, he's been there each year and is a mainstay. The panel had been in flux the past two or more seasons as since 2009 Paula Abdul left, Kara DioGaurdi came for two seasons and left, Ellen Degeneres appeared for one season and left, and after being a major part of the tone of the show for the first 9 seasons, Simon Cowell left.
Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and Q'Via
There was speculation that Lopez, who has many other projects, including a new show called Q'Via! The Chosen, also one that searchers for hidden talent. That show she'll be doing with her husband, singer Marc Anthony, and it will reportedly take them to up to 21 other countries in a search for talent. American Idol creator Simon Fuller is involved.
Recently it looked like Lopez was not a lock to be back. "I don't know. I haven't been forced to make a decision and I'm glad about that because honestly I'm very on the fence about it," she told the BBC's Scott Mills in a radio interview.
"I had an amazing time doing it and I loved it, but I have a lot other things happening, and it's going to come down to me making a choice of really what I want to do for the next year and we're not really at the breaking point of 'You have to make a decision right now!' so I'm really enjoying the time of just waiting and seeing." She also told Mills that for the panel and performers that American Idol was a "crazy ride you go on together."
Jennifer Lopez on Panel of American Idol
Lopez was not a person who was hard on performers and Lopez couched negatives in the kindest possible language. She broke down and cried on at least two occasions over performers having to leave the show. If she wasn't coming back, like perhaps Ellen Degeneres the year before, viewers would not have been surprised that her difficulty telling singers 'no' would have been the reason.
But, it would appear, she is coming back.
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