Just after finally confirming that Jennifer Lopez is returning as a judge on American Idol, Fox released the first photo of Lopez with Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr.
As previously reported, Fox made the news official after weeks of speculation about Lopez coming back. She previously judged two seasons with Steven Tyler, but left and was replaced by Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. Now they are both gone and the “Dance Again” singer is back.
She will be joined by country star Urban, who is the only one returning from last season. Randy Jackson has decided to leave as judge, but will stay as a mentor. Connick Jr. has frequently performed on the show and was reportedly asked to judge in the past.
Of the judges, it looks like Urban is actually the most enthusiastic about the new season, since he won’t have to deal with the constant fighting between Minaj and Carey this time. “New team, new energy and a whole new field of artists to be discovered and given a chance,” he said in a statement.
Lopez is all smiles in the photo and she looks happy to be back. “#IDOL2014TheRemix ...see ya soon,” she tweeted yesterday.
Auditions for this season took place in Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Detroit, Omaha, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.
image: Fox