With Ellen DeGeneres‘ abrupt departure from the show, sources say JENNIFER LOPEZ is close to inking a deal to be a judge on the declining star making show.
The superstar was close to signing, a source divulged after DeGeneres announced her sudden departure.yesterday.
"A couple months ago, I let Fox and the `American Idol’ producers know that this didn’t feel like the right fit for me," DeGeneres said in a statement.
She was brought on to replace Paula Abdul as judge.
But with creator Simon Cowell now gone as well, there’s a quest to replace him as well.
Reports of folks like Elton John or Jessica Simpson have been fueling the media guessing game.
J.Lo first made her mark in show biz as one of the original Fly Girl on In Living Color on Fox before becoming a back up dancer for Janet Jackson. She launched her first hit album in 1999.
With audition episodes looming in September, the pressure is on for Fox to sign new judges ASAP.
And with the loss of Snarky Simon Cowell , the talent show is expected to hit an all-time ratings low this season before eventual cancellation.
UPDATE: Ssources claim Kara DioGuardi has been fired and Idol will return to a three-judge format. Assuming all deals are finalized, the panel will consist of Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler.
FIRST POSTED:714 AM EDT
