American Idol has reportedly begun discussing possible replacements for Jennifer Lopez in case they can't reach a deal to have her return and reprise her judging role for the reality competition's eleventh season.
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While show insiders believe Lopez's recent comment that she's "on the fence" about returning to American Idol is just a negotiation tactic, the show has started considering possible alternatives that include Shania Twain and Shakira, PopEater reported Tuesday.
Lopez and fellow Idol judge Steven Tyler both joined the show as part of last season's judging-panel shakeup. However, unlike Tyler -- who signed a multi-year-contract -- Lopez's judging deal was only for one season.
According to reports, Lopez received $12 million to serve as a member of Idol's tenth-season judging panel and is looking for an increase to return.
Lopez made her "on the fence" comments two weeks ago during an appearance on a BBC Radio program in the U.K.
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"I don't know. I haven't been forced to make a decision and I'm glad about that. I had an amazing time doing it and I loved it, but I have a lot of other things happening. It's going to come down to making a choice of what I really want to do for the next year. We're not really at the breaking point of like, 'You have to make a decision right now!' So, I'm not," she said.
However, according to PopEater, American Idol believes Tyler was the breakout star of last season's revamped judging panel -- not Lopez.
"Everyone thought after [former American Idol judge Simon Cowell] announced he was leaving that [Lopez] would fill the void. How wrong were they? It's all about Steven, who's already signed on for Season 11," a source told PopEater.
While Lopez has suggested her busy schedule would prevent her from making a future commitment to Idol, InTouch Weekly recently reported that husband Marc Anthony's desire to have her spend more time with their family and is the real reason she may not return to the show.
"Jennifer signed a one-year contract with an option to renew," a source told InTouch in its July 4 issue. "She's ready to commit to a few more seasons because she loves the job and the money, but Marc wants her to quit so she can spend more time with him."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski