Jennifer Lopez Reaches “Idol” Deal: Reports

Deadline's Nikki Finke reports Lopez gets $12 million

J.Lo has reportedly taken the back-up plan.

Actress and singer Jennifer Lopez has locked up a deal to appear as judge on “American Idol’s” 10th season, Deadline Hollywood and Us Magazine reported on Monday.

According to Deadline’s Nikki Finke, Lopez had asked for a $15 million paycheck to appear on the Fox hit, plus a firm commitment from the network to further her career through films and TV projects.

“The Back-Up Plan” star eventually “settled” for $12 million and won an “overall” deal with Fox but without a specific TV or film project commitment, sources told Finke.

The negotiations “ended up working out and they have a good agreement,” an “Idol” insider told Us.

Lopez’s rep has so far not commented on the reports.

News of the deal comes a month after returning “Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe publicly defended Lopez, following a report that she’d been cut loose from negotiations for diva-ish behavior.

“Jennifer Lopez is a wonderful woman,” Lythgoe said in August. “I’ve worked with her a lot. How anyone who could call that lady a diva, I have no idea.”

With filming on “Idol” already underway, Lopez will likely join Randy Jackson and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler on the judges’ panel, according to reports.

Fox has not yet announced its full slate of “Idol” judges in the wake of Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi’s exits.

The network has agreed to delay its announcement to coincide with the mid-September release of Lopez’s new single, according to Deadline.

Selected Reading: Deadline Hollywood, Us, IMDB

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