Jennifer Lopez has a lot going on in her personal life, but she’s not quitting her day job because of it. Jenny from the block has confirmed that she will return as a judge for Season 11 of American Idol! Yay! A whole ‘nother season of her sartorial disasters interesting fashion choices!
American Idol producer, Nigel Lythgoe confirmed Jennifer’s return during Ryan Seacrest’s radio show, stating: “I am delighted to say that all three judges, along with the brilliant host of American Idol [Seacrest] is back for the next season,” adding that all three judges are about to travel cross-country scouting potential contestants. I guess Jennifer is taking a leave of absence from her pending divorce from Marc Anthony.
Mrs. Anthony Ms. Lopez was previously undecided if she would return to the judges panel, given her busy schedule, but apparently experienced a change of heart. When asked what prompted her return (besides the money and exposure) she remarked: “You get to know [the contestants]. You get to know their hopes and their dreams on camera, off-camera. You’re helping them off camera, you’re helping them on camera and it’s this crazy ride you go on together.” She further added, “You definitely get involved, I definitely get involved, I am very emotional as you can see from the show. That’s just how I am.”
TMZ is however reporting Jlo got a nice pay increase, and will earn $20 million this season in comparison to the $12 million she earned last season. Not too shabby.
In other Jennifer news, she talks to People about that divorce you may have heard about. Jennifer, who was included in People’s Most Beautiful People 2011 List, describes the dissolution of her marriage: “Sometimes it doesn’t work – and that’s sad. But I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love.”
Jennifer describes the choice to leave as a necessary one to save herself: “Sometimes we don’t realize that we are compromising ourselves. To understand that a person is not good for you, or that that person is not treating you in the right way, or that he is not doing the right thing for himself – if I stay, then I am not doing the right thing for me.”
Although her relationship with Marc, her husband of seven years and the father of her 3-year-old twins Max and Emme didn’t work out, Jennifer predictably has nothing but good things to say, giving the standard publicist approved quote for divorcing celebs: “I will always respect Marc as a singer and performer. He will always be in our lives. He will always hold a special place in my heart as the father of my children.”
Photo Credit: Adriana M. Barraza / WENN.com
Are you excited Jennifer is returning as a judge on AI? Thoughts on the divorce?
