J.Lo Outsmarts Jessica Simpson for 'Idol' Job

By Rob Shuter Posted Jul 30th 2010 05:35PM

Poor Jessica Simpson. After months and months of talks and meetings with the producers of 'American Idol,' Jennifer Lopez and her brilliant manager swooped in and stole the one job that could have put Jessica back on top.

"You won't find many folks that like Jessica's movies or music, but who doesn't love watching Jessica on TV," an industry insider tells me. "She would be the perfect person to replace the void that Paula left. Jess is funny, caring and a total ditz. Just what the show needs to make America start caring again."

So how did Lopez end up with the job that everyone, including Jessica, thought was hers? Two words: her manager. Benny Medina, who has helped shape the careers of Mariah, Tyra Banks and P. Diddy, is one of the best in the business, and Jessica's dad/manager, papa Joe, certainly is no match.

"Benny dazzled the 'Idol' producers in his pitch of J.Lo, and how the power of his client could put Idol back on top," an 'Idol' source tells me. "This was literally music to 'Idol's' ears after seeing their show drop over 20 percent in the ratings in just one year."

All of this has left Jessica heartbroken, she has known for some time that she needs a Benny Medina-type manager to secure her the big opportunities when they come along, although as one source put it, "How do you fire your own dad?"

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Tags: American Idol, jennifer lopez, jessica simpson

Comments

(51)

Saturday 31 July

By salmo60

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The American Idol brand has run its course. No matter who they bring in, the fact is Cowell was the one people wanted to hear.
The patient is terminal.

By Elisa Diaz

I would love to see Jennifer Lopez and Marc Antony on American Idol They both ROCK!!!

By rishio

.....this show is well past its prime--does not matter who is sitting in the three seats. no one i know watches it anymore.

By Frank

Jennifer cant sing and is a horrible entertainer. What makes her think she could judge?

By Mike

Now there is a battle of the witless. JLo vs. Jessica Simpson. I thought Jim Carey already did that movie, "Dumb and Dumber"

By D

Jessica who? Really, you have to have talent and style, and Jennifer has all that. What does Jessica have? Hmmm!?! Oh, yeah - Fancy. Sadly, a cute face can only get you so far.

By Nancy

Stop watchin idol yrs agao boring

By pdafma

JESSICA SIMPSON NEEDS TO FIRE HER FATHER FROM HER BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND HER PERSONAL LIFE, SO SHE CAN GROW UP AND BE HER OWN PERSON. HER PARENTS ARE WAY TOO OVERINVOLVED IN HER LIFE. WHETHER SHE ACTS TOO IMMATURE AND ATTACHED AT TIMES, IS HER PROBLEM, BUT THEY NEED TO PUSH HER TO HAVE HER OWN BUSINESS MANAGER AND LIFE. SAME AS BRITNEY ,HOPEFULLY, WILL GET SOON, AWAY FROM HER FATHERS CLUTCHES. THEY INFANTALIZE THESE WOMEN.BRIT IS DOING MUCH BETTER.
BOTH OF THESE FATHERS ARE MAKING LOTS OF MONEY OFF THEIR DAUGHTERS AND LIVING OFF THEM AND IT IS WRONG...JUST WRONG....

By rob shuter

i have worked with both and know jessica would be a more fun judge....

By Jules

Here's to hoping that she can bring some life back into the show.

Tuesday 03 August

By virgie

Do not like Jennifer Lopez. She cost Ben his career and stole Anthony from his family. This is going to hurt Idol not that it is doing that well now. I think this season will cause Idol to tank. I had to force myself to finish out this year as I hated to leave until I found out what happened to everyone. The judges pretty much dumped all the good talent and left it to the junk. I am sure this will be my last year but I will at least check it out for a few shows as I would hate to judge it too prematurely.

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