Jennifer Lopez: 'American Idol' is one of the best things I've ever done

Jennifer Lopez says she decided to return to American Idol because she realized being on the show was one of the best experiences of her life.


"It is one of the best things I've ever done," the tenth-season Idol judge -- whom Fox had officially announced on Wednesday will be returning for the show's next edition -- told reporters at a Thursday press conference for Idol's eleventh-season auditions in Savannah, GA, RadarOnline reported.

"Walking in here, they're working at a diner, and we get to watch them grow into a superstar. I was like 'OK, I'm gonna do it again.'"

While Lopez had initially said in June she was on the fence about whether to reprise her judging role on the panel alongside Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson, she reportedly acknowledged her hesitancy was in part due to issues in her personal life -- including last month's announcement that she and ex-husband Marc Anthony were splitting -- ending their seven-year marriage.

"I got a little bit tired at the end with everything going on in my life at the time," said Lopez, who was reportedly expected to receive upwards of $20 million a year to return to Idol after she only received $12 million to serve on the panel her first season.