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JENNIFER LOPEZ (44) is being paid an astounding US$17,5 million to return to her post as judge on American Idol next season.
“There was a lot of back and forth negotiating on her salary, but now it’s finally been settled that Jennifer will earn US$17,5 million to go back to Idol next season.
“It’s a major coup for her to land a huge payday like that and I believe she is thrilled with that number. It’s a lot more than the US$15 million Britney Spears was paid to do The X Factor,” a source told MailOnline.

In mid-August, there were rumours that Jennifer, the mother of five-year-old twins Max and Emme, was getting a US$15 million salary for her third season of Idol, but the figure is actually higher.

The U$17,5 million salary is a big leap from the US$12 million pay cheque J-Lo was handed for her first season of “Idol” in 2011. For her second season she was given a US$3 million raise to US$15 million. It was reported last year that when Jennifer asked for another US$2 million raise to come back for her third season the “Idol” producers refused and she walked.

Steven Tyler made his exit too, although it’s not clear if that had to do with salary negotiations. Steven and J-Lo were replaced by Mariah Carey, who was paid a reported US$18 million, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban. Keith is returning next season with former judge Randy Jackson serving as a mentor.

Finding a third judge to join Jennifer and Keith on the judges’ panel has proven difficult.
Music producer Dr Luke was up for the last seat until a conflict of interest between his music label Sony Music and the “Idol” winners’ label Universal Music Group came up in late August. Now Harry Connick Jnr is rumoured to be considered to round out the panel.

Next season there will be only three judges, not four like last season. And it looks like J-Lo could be the only female in the line-up because producers reportedly want to avoid the nasty cat-fights Mariah and Nicki engaged in last season.

Jennifer’s return to “Idol” isn’t a stunning surprise as it’s been speculated about for several months.
The actress/singer’s dancer boyfriend Casper Smart was the one who confirmed his girlfriend’s return to “Idol” while he was discussing his new talk show with E! news on August 16. Casper simply replied “yes”when asked if she was coming back. Auditions for next season of “Idol” begin this fall and the show airs in January 2014. — MailOnline.