The original reality singing show "American Idol" will be returning for its 13th season next January with some changes to the judges panel. TV Guide reports that Jennifer Lopez is closing a deal with Fox to return as a judge for the upcoming season. If Lopez signs on, she will be joining the only returning judge from the previous season, Australian country star Keith Urban.
The constantly rotating panel has seen many different judges in recent years, with the exception of "American Idol" veteran Randy Jackson. However, TV Guide reports that, for the first time, Jackson will not be returning. The Fox network staple also lost judges from the previous season, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, who both announced that they would not be returning.
Lopez was a judge alongside Jackson and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler in seasons 10 and 11. The producers tried unsuccessfully to bring Lopez back in the middle of season 12 to replace Mariah Carey.
Urban is the only judge from last season who agreed to make a comeback for the 13th season. Urban shared his excited via Twitter on Aug. 1. "Thrilled to be back on @AmericanIdol with my pal @RyanSeacrest," Urban tweeted. "Dying to know who the other judges will be!!!!"
"round 2, let's go!!" host Ryan Seacrest responded.
According to ABC News, a source told People magazine that she is "very close to signing a deal with Fox to return to American Idol next season. Both Fox and Jennifer are very happy about this and want it to happen very much."
The source added that the only reason why she did not return as a judge last season was due to the hectic schedule of her world tour. "But now that that tour is over, she has more time to raise her family, do movies and pursue television projects," the source said.
Although there were reports that the show's creators wanted to bring back successful finalists from previous seasons to judge contestants, they were not able to secure "American Idol" winners-turned-superstars Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood.
Although it is not known who will occupy the third judges spot, there have been rumors that rapper will.i.am could be a possible choice.
There will be a formal announcement about Lopez's return in the coming weeks.
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