'American Idol' Confirms Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler as New Judges

By AOL TV Editors Posted Sep 22nd 2010 02:13PM

'American Idol' has confirmed that Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are joining the FOX show for its tenth season. The pair will join seasoned judge Randy Jackson, 'AI' host Ryan Seacrest announced on Wednesday in a press conference that streamed live at americanidol.com.

The official confirmation ends weeks of speculation about the judges' lineup. Recent rumors surfaced that Lopez had signed a deal, while Tyler's participation was reported by friends and bandmates of the Aerosmith singer.

The new lineup brings big changes to 'American Idol.' Gone are original judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. Gone are more recent additions Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi. "I call 'Idol' season 10 'The Remix,' baby!" said Jackson, the only remaining original judge.

During the press conference, Tyler entered the stage first and called 'Idol' the "perfect feathered nest."

"It's being part of something much bigger than yourself," he told Seacrest when asked why he decided to come on board. "I want to bring some rock to this roller coaster."

Lopez, clad in a sparkling jumpsuit, came out next from underneath the stage in a cloud of swirling dry ice. "You have to just concentrate on the moment as best you can. Just live. It's your moment," Lopez said, adding she's "looking for the next Michael Jackson."

But whether the addition of Lopez and Tyler can rejuvenate the reality series remains to be seen. While 'American Idol' remains TV's biggest show, last season it lost 9 percent of viewers, and industry experts aren't sure the show can survive without the acerbic-but-popular Cowell. "It's going to be very difficult to replace him and expect the same ratings as last year," Horizon Media's Brad Adgate told USA Today.

Tags: American Idol, jennifer lopez, randy jackson, Steven Tyler

Comments

(38)

Wednesday 22 September

By KT

Vote down Vote up Report this

OMG !! Tired judges for a tired show.After this year ends stick a fork in it..It`s done..They really should`ve looked into Justin Bieber being a judge since hes on the cutting edge and super talented..YAYYY JUSTIN !!!

By MadMatt

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Someone call the Fonz because this show just jumped the shark! Are you kidding me? Steve Tyler and J-Ho. Might as well have Kelly Clarkson--the first American idol--as a judge in the 10th year. The AOL poll already says this is season is off to a bad start.

By tuffpaw

Can you say "train wreck" ?

By Nico Toscani

Do they really expect America to stare at Steven Tyler's nasty, junk riddled, old face two nights a week? Why didn't they just pick The Crypt Keeper? BLECH!!!

By Hannah

Way to have appreciation for good music, kiddo.

Sorry, but Aerosmith SUCKS.

By leroy

Aerosmith suck ??? No..you do nico.you are a raging idiot..But i think having Steve on AI sucks.The kind of music AI produces is the worst.

Anybody who would call somebody an "idiot" for not liking the same kind of music they do is something far worse. Eat the corn out of my sh*t you old dirtbag.

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Eat the corn out of your feces ??? YEP..YOU ARE A IDIOT..THANKS FOR PROVING IT..LOL

By dawn

I'm going to miss Simon...

By Leila

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

I say yes to the new judges. It's time to mix things up and see what happens. I think the new judges will have something of their own to offer.

By Kassie

When does Simon's "X-Factor" start? That's what I'll be watching. Thanks for the memories "American Idol," - it's now time to move on....

By jeanne

What happended to Kara?

By nancy p

i dont mind jennifer lopez however it should have been bret michaels,,,,, with his popularity of his reality show i think he would have changed the direction of the show,,, too many guys have won,, the last two seasons or so,,, and the guys that did win ,, did not live up to their title of the american idol.
They really should raise the age limit,, the teens and young people of today do not know some of the mentors that have mentored the contestants in the past,,,,, and some of these young people cant sing to save their own life,, they want to sound like their idols like taylor swift,, miley cyrus etc,,,and the young guys want to sound like justin beeber who cant sing and the jonas brothers.American idol if you want your ratings back,,, get bret michaels,,,,,it should have been him , j-lo and randy,,,,,

and raise the age limit,15 is too young ,,, some of these kids should be in school instead of thinking of a rich quick scheme to get out of school,,, the education in this country is bad enough.
I also hope they got rid of the "save" this year,, they wasted theirs last year,,, on whats his name,, see you cant even remember his name,,,

thank you,,,,

By deb millard

AGREE. SHOULD HAVE BEEN BRET MICHAELS!

By mw

Without Simon you might as well say this will be the last year for Idol. Would like to hear what Simon would think about Beeber's singing. I think he would rip him a new one.

By Kelley

I am so disappointed with the panel of judges this year. One looks like he has been rode hard and hung up to dry, the other will (and she does) attempt for soooo much camera time. I wonder how many times the camera's will search the audience for Jenn's kids and hubby? BAD BAD BAD choice's A.I.

By Lizzie Lou

Boring show with boring/non-talented judges...time to call it quits, don't you think?? Can't you hollywood people think of something better to show....

By dette

I'm disappointed...Where is Bret Michaels?

By dusty

Steven Tyler? ..... Why? Do they want to lose ratings?

Page 1 of 2