Would Fox and Fremantle puh-LEEZ just come out and admit it already?
Jennifer Lopez has signed a $12 million, one-year deal to be a judge on "American Idol," according to reports citing unnamed sources on TMZ, Us Magazine and People.com.
Is it true? Is it finally done?
At this point, anything short of J.Lo's most famous body part planted firmly on a judge's chair should be met with real skepticism. For weeks, reports of varying credibility have surfaced that she was firmly in — then that she was out, due to crazy "diva" demands — and now this.
Though all three outlets cite sources they don't name, at least they have the same figure: $12 million for one year. Meanwhile, the principle players around "Idol" show were being their usual clammed-up selves.
Multiple emails and voice messages were left by TheWrap with Fox; the network's president, Peter Rice; Lopez' publicist; Simon Cowell; Fremantle Media publicity and all three of "Idol's" executive producers. Thus far, only Fox responded, reiterating its longstanding policy of not commenting before an official announcement.
And that announcement could come very soon, if Ryan Seacrest has his facts straight. While speaking with Ellen DeGeneres on his KIIS-FM morning radio show, Seacrest said he would be leaving Los Angeles on a plane later this month with the new panel to begin judging this year's crop of auditions.
As for the other judges, their status wasn't any clearer, either. Last we left it, Steven Tyler was also reportedly locked — days after his publicist said in no uncertain terms that his deal was far from done.
