'American Idol' 2013 Season 13 Jennifer Lopez Return & Kanye West Declines Job Offer?
Kanye West reportedly declined an opportunity to be the third and final judge on the upcoming season of American Idol.
A source revealed that the show's new producers approached the New Slaves rapper and he respectfully declined out of concern for his reputation.
"He didn't want to go that mainstream. He didn't want to lose any street cred," a show insider told Us Weekly of the opportunity to join confirmed judge Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez, who has not been confirmed.
The 36-year-old rapper has a 2-month-old daughter, North West, with reality star Kim Kardashian, 32.
The same insider also confirmed the magazine's Aug. 19 report the FOX network is in talks with music producer Dr. Luke (real name Lukasz Gottwald) to be the third judge on AI now that Kanye is no longer an option. Dr. Luke has created successful chart-topping hits for Katy Perry, Britney Spears and Ke$ha.
Lopez' boyfriend, Casper Smart, revealed on Aug. 16 that the pop singer will return to the judges table for season 13. Smart slipped the news while being interviewed on Aug. 15 to discuss his new televison show A Step Away for Nuvo TV. When asked by E! News if Lopez would return to AI, Smart simply replied "Yes." Smart assumed the news had been announced by the show's network, according to the report.
A source told the news outlet that the gig "makes sense" for Lopez.
"The show's schedule will allow her to focus on new film and TV projects" the show insider said "And, of course, her twins are starting school this year and she will have time for her family."
Jennifer Lopez Return To 'Idol' 'Very Close' Says Source
Kevin Reilly, the entertainment chairman of the Fox Broadcasting Company, confirmed that Urban would return at Fox's 2013 Television Critics Association presentation on Aug. 1. He also addressed the rumors surrounding Jennifer Hudson and Lopez joining Urban on the judging panel.
Jennifer Lopez Wants To Join Jennifer Hudson At 'American Idol' Season 13
Jarrett Weiselman, the editorial director for Entertainment Tonight Online, wrote on Twitter that day, "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.
Enstars reported in June that the three of the judges from season 12 -- Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj -- confirmed they will not return for season 13 of the show.
