More American Idol news. But not really. Just a continuation of the rumors that Jennifer Lopez and Will.i.am will be taking a seat next to Keith Urban on the judges panel.
As we all know, Keith Urban has been confirmed to return for a second season as judge. Now The Hollywood Reporter says that Jennifer and Wil.i.am are ever closer to signing deals. Jennifer, in particular.
Lopez’s deal is expected to be signed any day now. Will’s, however, is looking a little further off.
According to a source, will.i.am and Lopez are “hilarious together.” Choosing the two international pop stars also seems to appease new executive producer Per Blankens, who came over from Swedish Idol to take over for longtime EPs Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick. An insider tells THR that the Swede was “looking for big names” to fill out the panel.
Deadline reports that Jennifer “could be pulling a paycheck in the ballpark of what she most recently made on the show, said to be around $15 million.”
As far as putting an American Idol alum on the panel. Looks like that’s not going to happen.”Talks with Idol alumni Jennifer Hudson, a season three finalist-turned-Oscar winner, and Adam Lambert, runner-up for season eight, fizzled after many weeks of internal debate,” reports THR. Also, the judges panel announcement could come a little earlier than the typical mid September reveal.
Jennifer Lopez was a judge on season 10 and 11 of the show, while Will.i.am mentored during season 10 and was mentor during the first two season of The Voice UK.
