Jennifer Lopez 'American Idol' 2014 Season 13 Return Nets $17.5 Million, Says Source (VIDEO)
Jennifer Lopez will reportedly earn $17.5 million for their third season as a judge on American Idol.
A source revealed that she scored a lucrative deal that is much higher than the $15 million payday she was rumored to be seeking.
"There was a lot of back and forth negotiating on her salary, but now it's finally been settled that Jennifer will earn $17.5milllion to go back to Idol next season,'" a source told Mail Online exclusively.
The show insider said Lopez is content with the sum. The paycheck is higher than what Britney Spears earned from Idol's competitor, The X Factor.
"It's a major coup for her to land a huge payday like that, and I believe she is thrilled with that number. It's a lot more than the $15 million Britney Spears was paid to do The X Factor," the source revealed.
Lopez previously sat at the judges table for seasons 10 and 11 of Idol. Lopez and Steven Tyler were later replaced by Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban for season 12. Carey and Minaj announced they will not return to Idol when the season ended in May.
Urban will remain with the show for season 13 and for the first time original judge Randy Jackson will not sit at the judges' table. The famed music artist manager will return as a mentor.
Lopez will likely be the only female judge on the panel when the show returns with only three judges for season 13. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the decision was made to avoid a repeat friction similar to the drama between Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.
'American Idol' 2013 Season 13: Jennifer Lopez Return 'Very Close,' Source Says (VIDEO)
The third remaining judge chair has yet to be filled. Music producer Dr. Luke (real name: Luke Gottwald) almost filled the slot in time for the auditions scheduled to begin Sept. 3. According to another report from The Hollywood Reporter, Dr. Luke's deal fell through because he signed an exclusive deal with Sony Music back in 2011. The deal posed as a conflict of interest because as a judge on Idol, he'd be developing talent for Sony's competitor, Universal Music Group.
Dr. Luke produced chart-topping singles for many pop stars including Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone, Pink's Who Knew and Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl,
As of press time, singer Harry Connick, Jr. is on the short list to become the third judge for season 14 of Idol. The Hollywood Reporter reports the lack of filling a judge in the third seat has already caused a delay with scheduling of the show's production. The judges of season 14 are supposed to begin the audition process on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
'American Idol' 2013 Season 13 Jennifer Lopez Return & Kanye West Declines Job Offer?
Lopez's return was leaked by her own boyfriend Casper Smart. He confirmed his girlfriend's return to while he was discussing his new talk show with E! News on August 16. Casper simply replied 'yes' when asked if she was coming back.
Auditions for next season of American Idol begin in September and season 14 premieres in January 2014.
