BREAKING NEWS: Lopez Confirms IDOL Departure

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jennifer Lopez has confirmed recent rumors that she will not return as a judge on FOX's AMERICAN IDOL next season. Just a day after Idol judge Steven Tyler announced he will be leaving the show, Lopez broke the news to Idol host Ryan Seacrest on his radio show this morning. "I honestly feel like the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do." Lopez told Seacrest. "We had an amazing run."

Recent public comments by Lopez appeared to hint that she would not be back next January. "I love everybody. I love all the guys on the show," Lopez told the Today show recently. "I am thinking that it's time for me to go.

Yesterday, Tyler said in a statement, "After some long...hard...thoughts...I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistress 'American Idol' before she boils my rabbit," said Tyler. "I strayed from my first love, AEROSMITH, and I'm back - but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I've got two fists in the air and I'm kicking the door open with my band. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass - the ultimate in auditory takeover."

People.com reported today that Mariah Carey is in serious talks to be a judge on Idol's next season. "She's in play," an insider told PEOPLE. "They are in serious talks."

Randy Jackson, the only original judge on the Idol panel, has collaborated with Carey throughout her long and successful music career. As yet, he has not commented on whether he will return when the singing competition returns.

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