'American Idol' 2013 Season 13: Jennifer Lopez Return 'Very Close,' Source Says (VIDEO)
Shortly after the chairman of Fox confirmed on Aug. 1 that country singer Keith Urban returns to the American Idol judges table for the new season, he revealed that the network is in "talks" with Jennifer Lopez to also come back.
Kevin Reilly, the entertainment chairman of the Fox Broadcasting Company, first confirmed Urban's return at Fox's 2013 Television Critics Association presentation. That day he also reportedly addressed the rumors surrounding Jennifer Hudson and Lopez joining Urban at the judges table for season 13 of the singing competition.
Jarrett Weiselman, the editorial director for ET Online, wrote on Twitter: "Reilly confirms J.Lo return talks, but stresses they are JUST talks at this point #TCAs13 #AmericanIdol."
"He said there were scheduling conflicts with Lambert & J. Hudson that led them to look at other options," Weiselman added.
Reilly also revealed that Hudson is the network's first choice to sit alongside Urban and Lopez is the backup option. Hudson has already signed a contract with the network but her deal has not been finalized, according to previous reports.
People reported on June 1 that Lopez, a mother-of-two, is "very close to signing a deal with Fox to return to American Idol next season."
"Both Fox and Jennifer are very happy about this and want it to happen very much," a source told the magazine.
The source also addressed the rumors that NBC reached out to the singer about appearing on The Voice as a coach.
"Jennifer never had discussions with NBC about being a judge. She was approached by NBC about performing but had to turn it down because of scheduling conflicts."
Enstars reported in June that after three of the judges from season 12 confirmed they will not return for season 13 -- Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj -- Lopez reportedly expressed an interest in returning to the singing competition show. A source told Radar Online that Benny Medina, Lopez' longtime manager was "in talks" with FOX before Carey and Minaj announced their departures.
"Benny told FOX that she does indeed want to return," the insider said. "They're talking. Negotiations are in their infant stages, but they're underway to get her back to the judges' table."
Watch Lopez judge an audition on American Idol in 2011 below.
