BREAKING… EXCLUSIVE: Now that Steven Tyler today quit American Idol to return to performing with Aerosmith, the focus 
turns to Jennifer Lopez and her status also as a Season 12 judge on the Fox talent show. Her insiders have been telling me for months now that she, too, wants to return to performing full-time — even though American Idol revived her dead showbiz career — and abandon Idol. As one of her insiders tells me: “She wants to do movies. She’s expecting her team to deliver. She feels she’d rather be on Idol performing than judging everyone else.” On the other hand, how in demand is yet another 42-year-old singer-actress given the reality of showbiz? Her intimate tells me, “I think she’s off and it’s mutual. They’re not inviting her back so quickly. Not because they’re unhappy with her. But because she wants a lot of fucking money, a lot.” As JLo herself told one of her intimates, “I’m not going back unless they pay me what I want.”
Now my Fox sources are weighing in with me today on the status of negotiations with JLo. “It’s complicated and fluid. It might get resolved very quickly or may drag on for another few weeks. All the usual reasons; money, schedules, desire to continue, and overall makeup of the judges panel.”
This follows News Corp COO Chase Carey telling Wall Street analysts that “our challenge for next year is to put some fresh energy in” American Idol after “we probably didn’t do enough this year”. In terms of changes, Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly has promised “some creative tweaking” heading into next season after the show’s ratings “dropped more than anticipated” this cycle as “space got crowded”. Indeed, Idol posted its lowest-rated finale ever last spring.
This morning on NBC’s Today show, Lopez sure sounded like she was quitting Idol, saying “I am thinking it’s time for me to go and do other things I love to do”:
“I’ve loved it so much. I’ve enjoyed the show so much. I enjoy just the whole process of the show… It’s a tough decision either way, but I have to say there are so many things I do that I put on hold for that. It’s a heartbreaking decision if I have to go. Little by little I am [moving closer to a final decision…] All I can let you in on is my own thought process with it because that’s where I truly am… I love everybody, I love all the guys on the show, I love the family that’s there… But I am thinking it’s time for me to go and do other things I love to do.”
On the other hand, it’s not like Lopez is hurting for money like she was in 2010 when she signed her Idol contract: Forbes magazine just placed her #1 on its celebrity money-makers, pinpointing her earnings at $52 million after she parlayed her position as a judge on Idol into hit singles, increased album sales, an upcoming world tour, three new movies, and a growing portfolio of endorsements. She’s also launched a clothing and lifestyle collection for Kohl’s, added an 18th scent to her fragrance line Glow, and keeps making TV deals for shows. Her Latin talent competition show, Q’Viva: The Chosen on Univision failed to successfully cross over to Fox. But she’s now developing an hour-long drama for ABC Family. And Oxygen just bought her pitch for a reality show centered around the dancers on her tour and her choreographer/boyfriend Casper Smart as they prepare for JLo’s tour.
Sources close to Fox repeatedly have told Deadline that Lopez has not officially informed the network that she is leaving. And they think her reluctance might be a negotiating ploy many big-name stars use when up for renewals. Talks have been ongoing for months now. The latest media speculation about new Idol judges 2009 runner-up Adam Lambert, rapper will.i.am, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, and Fergie. (Lambert said recently: “If Idol wants to talk to me about judging, I’d be more than flattered to have that conversation.” Katy Perry has revealed she said no to an offer.
It’s a huge gamble for Lopez if she turns her back on Idol since her career could just go back into the crapper. “Everyone thought it was a mistake for to go on Idol and yet it reignited her career,” a Fox exec reminds me. After all, her recent ensemble film What To Expect When You’re Expecting opened to underwhelming domestic box office. Yet she’s still very watchable: her reputed Oscar-night nipple slip was the telecast’s second-most-watched moment.
During her last negotiation in 2010, JLo’s reps bargained a sweet overall Fox deal along with her $12M Idol judging job. But her most diva demands were refused. I’d learned she had been bargaining for guaranteed “go” motion picture and TV pilots at Fox to accompany an asked-for $15 million judging paycheck. But the powers-that-be who produce Idol – Fox, Fremantle, and 19 Entertainment — balked. It was her manager Benny Medina (whom she once fired) who first orchestrated the meeting with the Idol producers and then she, Medina and her producing partner Simon Fields tried to milk the gig for all they could. They expected the movie studio and broadcast network/television programmer to further her stalled career in the film/TV area. One bargaining chip they had, as I reported, was that Simon Cowell had asked JLo to be a judge on the Fox version of his The X Factor in Fall 2011.
Recently JLo’s team has put together some TV deals. But those TV development projects could go by the wayside just as her old ones did when her career grew cold. So could her licensing ventures just as before. So, too her Def Jam recording contract and movie deals. Pre-Idol, JLo’s singing and acting career hit the skids after her 2010 movie The Back-Up Plan failed at the box office and she was dropped by her longtime record label Sony Music Epic Records.
If this show truly wants to survive another season, you need to do away with the judges and bring in younger talent and i don’t mean Spears or Cyrus and freshen the look of the show and make it more interesting again. As I stated beforehand, the show needs to be about the talent and not the ego-maniac judges. Say so long to j-Lo!
BYE, BYE JLO.
How’s that for a start, Jed.
The best thing for the show would be if Jennifer leaves. She doesn’t say anything original and is an awful judge. She is just too nice. She is a very talented lady and should return to performing etc. The show needs a Howard Stern or Simon Cowell. Someone who is going to be truthful and tell contestants when they do a lousy job. Otherwise Idol is going to fade away for sure.
Haven’t you noticed? It’s already faded.
By what definition is this woman talented? Other than being an above average dancer and hiring great stylists and makeup artists, she is a terrible singer and holds no talent as an actress other than her obnoxious attempts at stealing every scene and making it about her, regardless of the role.
“But because she wants a lot of fucking money, a lot.” As JLo herself told one of her intimates, “I’m not going back unless they pay me what I want.””
Whoever the intimates are, they just gave a fake quote…this doesn’t sound like something a savvy star like Jlo would tell “intimates” especially knowing they would go gossip.
As for judges….AI should get the average Joe off the street…a concert goer….a no-name like Simon with a big personality. I like Peggy Blu, the coach as a judge.
But all these talent shows bring in “name” celebrities and nobody cares about them. They’re supposed to draw the audience in, and truthfully you could put Uggie the dog in the judge’s seat and the audiece wouldn’t care.
Lopez is a very underrated actress. And she does not look mid-40’s at all.
I think that audiences stopped getting excited about her films because she stopped being a movie star. Cheap perfumes, cheap stuff at Kohls and cheap pop songs are not right for a movie star!
Give up all that crap (leave it to reality show stars) and start making films full time.
It will be more than worth it!
But she cannot act!
The only good film she’s been in is OUT OF SIGHT, and she had a fantastic director, Soderbergh …. ok I’ll give you SELENA was a good performance… and U-TURN was enjoyable Oliver Stone (but again, due more to the director).
But she has terrible taste in material, and/or her representation does. Cases in point:
MAID IN MANHATTAN
ANGEL EYES
THE WEDDING PLANNER
GIGLI – probably the worst reviewed film ever
JERSEY GIRL – ditto
MONSTER-IN-LAW – really, a movie with Jane Fonda
AN UNFINISHED LIFE -booooring
The beginning of her career, she made good to ok choices. Then they tried to make her into a romantic lead, instead of doing interesting roles, like say Salma Hayek, or even, as fellow pop-star, Beyonce.
If you want to be an actress J-LO, be one, prove yourself again. But don’t take crappy roles for a paycheck. Don’t go the Katherine Heigl route, because you will lose your audience fast.
She was the one who desperately wanted to become “America’s Sweetheart” and lobbied avidly for her role in “The Wedding Planner” which started her romantic comedy career. As far as “taking crappy roles for a paycheck”, who hasn’t taken a crappy gig when they needed to get paid. However, she gets involved in development and has terrible taste.
You forgot to mention probably the worst movie she’s done – ENOUGH
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but besides Meryl Streep, there aren’t “good” actresses doing “good” material. It’s tough for actresses to get the good scripts, and Jlo is no exception.
Can you please name the movie in which her acting was good or her role was memorarable? I am one of many people who wont even bother seeing a movie if she is in it. El cantante was the only movie I voluntarily saw with her starring in it, because Marc Anthony is extremely talented and was incredible in the film.
As mentioned above, she was good in “Out of Sight”. I also thought she was pretty good in Selena, Blood and Wine, and U-turn.
But since then, most of her choices have been about money and attempting to turn herself into the next Julia Roberts. It is clear she has no interest in being a serious actress in quality movies, or even have a Johnny Depp like career (lots of indies, interspersed with paycheck films).
She only cares about being the biggest name, not any quality. Eventually, w/o Idol, her career will go back in the dumpster.
Then she will join X Factor to revive her name again. B/c Lovato and/or Spears will not last more than a season or two. Of course, this assumes X Factor lasts more than another season or two as well.
You make a good point about her product endorsements….she should be at the least at Jessica Simpson price level. I have a couple of Jessica bags and they cost north of $100.
JLO – Be careful of Simon Fields.
Screw this damn diva bitch she doesn’t deserve a lot of fucking money she deserves to be shown the door. They need to fire everyone and start over with all new judges. Randy Jackson is the worst I can’t believe they’ve paid him for so long to sit there.
And what has Randy himself done lately? We recall he signed Kim Lock years ago & look how that turned out. If it weren’t for her gigs on gay cruses & gay clubs she’d be back to square one.
Who’s complaining, Kim or you?
If Jesus and Mary were judges, you would feel the same way…the American public is so fickle. We’re excited when the show begins and criticize the judges at the end. It’s like a spectator sport.
Show may be fading but is still minting money. Randy Jackson definitely does not add nmuch to the show, but I give him credit for being smart enough to get paid big $ for over a decade. Too bad the show gave JLo a second life – fading into obscurity would have much more too my liking….
It does NOT matter who the stupid judges are. The show is dead, period. It is a total bore. the show follows a strict pre-designed format that has no truth or sincerity to it. Would not watch it even if Michael Jackson came back from the dead.
JLO is an embarrassing attention addict who is exhaustingly overexposed and terrifically mediocre.
Thank you. Well said!
Agree. I thought she had learn when her career had fallen just before signing onto Idol. But here she goes again doing terrible movies, so so songs and is in every other commercial on tv.
I don’t like Jennifer’s music at all and don’t like her dance moves. And I understand she’s quite the diva. Having said that, there is something mesmerizing about her. She truly is a beautiful, charismatic woman. I stare at her. I’ve watched all her movies including the terrible ones (half of them at least).
I do like watching her on Idol but she’s a pretty useless judge. Steal Kelly Clarkson from Duets — she’s got the Idol experience and she’s a hoot.
Kelly Clarkson would be great, they should definitely go after her.
Do you stare at wallpaper also? She is nothing spectacular, just has access to the right people to make her look the way she does. There is something seriously wrong in this society that promotes talentless attention seekers like this and truly talented artists are starving.
she wants to revive her movie career? why? movies are dying. does she want to be part of Spiderman 5?
Who does she think she is, Meryl Streep? “I got movies to do.” LOL! What a joke.
She needs to go. Tyler is leaving. and rumors are saying Randy could be going. I’m sick of all of them. and isn’t Randy way too old to keep saying Dawg every other word. its not funny – never was.
They haven’t had many good winners . Clarkson- meh .Underwood was the only reaL talent and I don’t like country western . Lambert should have won – but the idiot that did isn’t employable.
I can honestly say I’ve watched Idol less than 3 times. Completely uninspiring and hopelessly tacky.
The show lost what, 15% of its audience last season, and this ridiculous person wants a raise? Fox, take pre-emptive action – announce tomorrow that you have fired this person and are replacing her with someone more appealing (and cheaper). Let her fade into the obscurity she so richly deserves.
Well….she was great as a flygirl on In Living Color! That’s all I got to say about that.
As it was said before: very mediocre musician at best, but very attractive.
“Out Of Sight” was great — but, again it was her director. (sidebar: Julia Roberts in “Erin Brockovich,” & Andi MacDowell in “sex, lies, and videotape.” All a testament to Soderbergh…)
Lopez is a suburban divorced middle-aged mother of twins; she is NOT an R&B star.
She is not a thug-worshipping hood-rat, and needs to stop acting and “singing” like one…
The smartest judge ever next to Simon in leveraging the Idol experience to revive her career and getting tons of endorsements ending up as #1 money maker in entgertainment. Just wow. Paula Abdul should be ashamed.
I’m throwing out Elton John’s name. Anything has got to be better than playing at Caesar’s Palace.
Gene Simmons would make an excellent judge, as would Ringo Starr!
Enough of Jennifer. She’ll whine till she gets what she wants. I say replace them ALL.
As much as I like JLo, she is being totally unreasonable.
She did this same crap last year, and got a wad of dough to stay.
I say let her ride out of town in a Chevy Volt.
Selfishness and greed is RAMPANT in Bollywood.
10 million for Seacrest, and JLo got even more for whining last year about Britneys deal.Also, if Idol puts relative newcomers in the Judges seats, they can kiss it good bye.
I HATE it when these prima dona’s think they are Drew Brees, and can demand new ridiculous contracts every year.
You sign a deal, HONOR it.
Letting Randy go would be a bad move, bring Paula back would be smart, and one new singer/performer that KNOWS music.
If they stick punks like Adam Lambert in those seats, the creds of the show go down exponentially.
Also Tyler was so obvious he did not want to be there last year, he should never be allowed to return.
Poor attitudes come through.And people notice.
The ONLY reason I watch American Idol is to see Jennifer Lopez…she is the Female Idol … she gives me the thunder. Really!
What’s this I hear that Randy Jackson is also being let go and Ryan Seacrest is being offered a buyout so “Idol” would have a new host and a new panel of judges next season?
I have heard that Erin Andrews will become the show’s new hostess.
I cannot believe all this negativity regarding Jennifer Lopez.
All of you cannot be that stupid, so it must be jealousy.
FACT: Jennifer is the most beautiful, sexy, desirable woman in the world. It is not just the hair, makeup and clothes. She exudes beauty from within and will be just as gorgeous at 50, 60 and 70.
She is the ONLY reason to watch American Idol.
I’m over 50 and look a million times better than she does. (also, people think I’m much younger). Not jealous of her at all – my body is better also.
You know Jlo is starting to make everyone sick, playing the media game, if she is leaving or coming back to Idol, she going to play this all the way up to the end, she has no says so if she coming back or not, that decision was already made back in February by News Corp that they needed “New Fresh Energy” for season 12, so Jlo suck it up, admit that you have been fired, just like when Sony Records fired you back in 2010, Steve already has, find another career, because you know after Idol you don’t have a career anymore.