Music veterans Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler will join Randy Jackson as “American Idol” judges next season. The announcement ends months of speculation about the show’s future.
This is the 10th season for ‘Idol’, which is being overhauled with the departure of longtime judge Simon Cowell.
The two new judges bring substantial industry success to the table, with Tyler sporting nearly 40 years as the frontman for Aerosmith, and Lopez scoring hits in the film and music fields. Neither is shy before the camera, which should help boost ratings and provide some interesting conversations as they provide feedback to performers. The key will be developing a chemistry that existed in the early years of ‘Idol’.
The show also announced that veteran music producer Jimmy Iovine will be on board as a permanent mentor to the show’s contestants – something show producer Nigel Lythgoe said was needed. Lythgoe returns to ‘American Idol’ after leaving in 2008. He said the show needs to focus more on the performers – and not on the judges.