Jennifer Lopez wants (lots) more money to return to ‘Idol’

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Last week, Kaiser predicted that Jennifer Lopez would be asking for more money to return for a second season as an “American Idol” judge. And guess what? In an interview with BBC Radio 1, J-Lo has now made a strategic admission that she hasn’t yet determined whether or not she’ll return for a second season: “I don’t know. I haven’t been forced to make a decision and I’m glad about that because honestly I’m very on the fence about it.” Because, naturally, J-Lo is holding out for a raise over her puny $12 million salary for her current one-year contract. So the relevant question here is not whether or not Lopez will return to the show but, instead, why FOX was that incredibly stupid to believe that she wouldn’t pull this stunt in the first place? After all, this is the same diva who called a hotel desk 20 times in one hour with the same demand. Here’s some more from that radio interview:

You get to know [the contestants]. You get to know their hopes and their dreams on camera, off camera. You’re helping them off camera, you’re helping them on camera and it’s this crazy ride you go on together. You definitely get involved, I definitely get involved. I am very emotional as you can see from the show. That’s just how I am.

I had an amazing time doing it and I loved it but I have a lot other things happening, and it’s going to come down to me making a choice of what I want to do for the next year and we’re not really at the breaking point of “You have to make a decision right now!” I’m just really enjoying the time of just waiting and seeing.

[From BBC Radio ]

Yeah, J-Lo is enjoying “waiting and seeing” just how much money will be tossed her way, and the Hollywood Reporter seems to believe that J-Lo is holding out for Simon Cowell’s former salary. Certainly, she couldn’t really be that greedy, right?

Lopez’s current salary: a reported $12 million. How high could her demand ultimately go? Another $23 million, if the Simon Cowell budget is your barometer.

That’s right, Idol’s top-earning judge for eight years running commanded $35 million per season at the end of his tenure, or about $642,201 per hour, using season 9’s total airtime. And while Lopez is a proven entity with some box office cachet and a current hit on the Billboard charts (thanks, in large part, to its premiere and multiple plugs on Idol), is her contribution to the show really worth that much?

Let’s consider: The Bronx beauty has the crabby Brit beat in the looks department, as viewers tuned in just to see what Lopez was wearing or how her hair was done, but when it came to commenting on the performances, it took all season for her to work up the courage to be anything less than fawning. Were it not for Casey Abrams’s surprise peck and the occasional cooing “baby” that she would bestow on a contestant, and, dare we say, J Lo sometimes bordered on dull.

With that in mind, who’s really getting more out of this relationship? True, Fox was able to avert a season 10 ratings disaster by enlisting Lopez for a year on the panel (judge Steven Tyler is signed on through season 11), and the numbers stayed flat, but after nine months of work plus that hefty paycheck, J Lo also walked away with a resurrected career and a radio smash (“On the Floor”) on her hands – her first in nearly a decade.

[From Hollywood Reporter]

The thing about most of these musical reality-show judges (like Paula Abdul and Christina Aguilera) is that no one would be paying attention to any of them otherwise. Stephen Tyler is certainly well aware of this fact, so he was all up in a multi-year contract when it came time to sign last season. J-Lo, on the other hand, probably thinks she’s now indispensible to “Idol” and will hold out for as long as she possibly can for more money. And make no mistake, she’ll eventually sign no matter what.

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Photos courtesy of Fame Pictures

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53 Responses to “Jennifer Lopez wants (lots) more money to return to ‘Idol’”

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  1. Heatheradair says:

    GOOD POINT about the fact that this IS about her only visibility. Sure, she’d still have a fledgling music career (which has been buoyed by the show, definitely), but this is the only high-profile gig she’s got left…but I guess divas don’t thank their lucky stars for a job, they demand pink M&Ms and imported Tibetan spring water and THIRTY FIVE FLIPPIN MILLION DOLLARS.

    (where can I sign up to be a diva??????)

  2. Jag says:

    ITA with everything you’ve said, Bedhead. This is just a ploy for more money.

    I really wish these “celebs” would come back down to earth and thank their lucky stars that they make so much money. I’d be able to retire forever, and help out my loved ones, too, if given what she’s making in one season. grrrrr

  3. antisara says:

    TOLD YOU GUYS: THERE’S SHORTAGE OF “CHIKINS” IN FL!!!!!!!!!! She’s hoping the last witch soup session delivers da millions!!!!

    JELLO, I MEAN JLO SAYS: “EAT MOR’ BEEF, PIPL! PORK MORE…AH…I MEAN EAT MOR’ PORK TOO! THE CHIKINS ARE FOR ME…MUHAHAHAHAHA! I’LL KILL ‘EM ON DA FLOOR!!!!!!”

    So much for a bloody dance floor…this turd thinks she deserves the world on a silver platter…

    JLO: watch it! soon you’ll substitute the “chikin” at the starter bloody ceremony of the next “it” turd in Hollyweird.

  4. Kim says:

    She not worth more money. Many female singers could replace her in that spot.

  5. the original bellaluna says:

    Oh, please, please, PLEASE let them use this as the opportunity to ditch this arrogant fame-whore! (And I don’t even watch the show; I just can’t stand J-Ho.)

    How supremely arrogant of J-Ho to think she warrants S-Cowell’s salary (that he made after 8 SEASONS) after only one season. GF, you just ain’t that good.

  6. WickedSteppMom says:

    Don’t let the door hit ya’ in the (gigantic) ass on the way out.

  7. anoneemouse says:

    Boy I bet no one saw this one coming (yeah right).

  8. bluhare says:

    Exit, Stage . . . ANYWHERE.

  9. brin says:

    She wasn’t even that good….she is definitely replaceable…next!

  10. ladybert62 says:

    Ah she only got paid $12 million for a “year’s” work – how did she ever survive. I have absolutely no sympathy for these spoiled overpaid whiners. She did not deserve the 12 million to begin with.

  11. Amanda G says:

    Ugh, I hope she doesn’t re-sign. I want her and her crappy music to go back to wherever she was hiding the last 7 years.

  12. Quest says:

    She isn’t even worth the 12 mil she is currently earning, this is absolute nonsense.

  13. shirls says:

    HOW USELESS WAS IDOLS.
    SYCOPHANTIC COMMENTS.
    At least Simon spoke the truth.Both Steve Tyler and J-lo spke meaningless nonsense. It was a total bore.

  14. TeeTee says:

    for what???

    she can’t sing nor act–she should thank her lucky stars that she has a spot that pays for her to do nothing but show up in inapprorpiate clothes.

  15. NayNay says:

    Shouldn’t someone have some talent in order to judge others. DUMP THE BITCH!!!

  16. Luna says:

    Don’t you have enough money Jennifer? 😐

  17. Lila says:

    I would think this opening would lead to several fading stars clamoring for her job. She better watch it. People have a tendency to forget she exists. And I like it better when she didn’t. I said it before, J Hud needs to be on one of these shows.

  18. lisa says:

    Wow..and all this IDOL drama started because they would not give Paula a few more million..
    to continue doing a show she and Simon and Randy made successful. They could have saved millions upon millions.

    but the show is not the same. It was not about the talent this year but the judges.. mainly Jennifer. It was just so whacked how they kept the focus on her. Has anyone seen or heard from the winner. But Jlo is now on tour.. what about the new talent.

    I hate that the judges of these shows are becoming STARs again. I thought they were trying to find new talent.

  19. Dhavy says:

    I don’t wash the show but why do they get these talent-less women??

    BTW JLo, give up the short skirts. You might be a dancer but you are no Tina Turner

  20. Lisa Turtle says:

    I’m not an idol fan, I just want to put it out there that I find Jennifer Lopez physically repulsive.

  21. garvels says:

    Wow, she certainly is quite greedy for a 40 plus former pop star dancer. I guess parking her fat ass in a chair, offering lame criticism to potential AI winners is quite exhausting.

  22. Ron says:

    Get someone new–she is not worth a penny more under any circustance. I personally would love to see the crazy that is Mariah Carey.

  23. Hautie says:

    Was Paula Abdul even making 10 million a season?

    I thought that was why Paula did not re-sign, was because everyone was making ridiculous money but her.

    Even Ryan was getting paid double of what Paula was seeing.

    So Jennifer thinks she is going to pull over 20 million? I suspect she might have just lost herself a job.

    This is a show that does not have a real interest in paying their female employee’s.

  24. Blue says:

    I hope they tell her to kick rocks! She wasn’t worth the original 12 mil. She certainly doesn’t deserve one more penny. I thought we were in a recession, but assholes like her get paid big money for a couple months worth of work. I wonder who her replacement will be?

  25. Amanda says:

    efff, Steven Tyler is signed on through next season?? GOOD LORD. They need to axe JLo, axe Randy, and then axe Steven as soon as humanly possible. The 3 of them successfully ruined one of my favorite shows and the contestants they had this year were ridiculously boring and/or bad.

  26. gamblea says:

    In every picture her.mouth.is.closed!!!! yippee!

  27. Marc says:

    She needs that money OK! She has children to rise and anorectic husband to feed. OK?!

  28. dubdub2000 says:

    You got to see J Lo turn green any time Steven Tyler was introduced and the applaud meter exploded. People tuned in just to watch his lovable brand of cookiness, so if J Lo wants to leave , she can, they can find another B -diva or former A-diva looking for a career revival to front the show: there’s a whole list of them waiting in the wings. Number one contender? Nicole Sherzinger (sp?) if she doesnt get the panel job after all the mess on X factor US. You can also add Shanya Twain and Cheryl Crowe to the list. They all at some point did some guest judging or mentoring on idol and came off real well.

  29. lisa says:

    @dubdub2000

    I think Crowe would be a great idea..

    Maybe someone on Idol will read this and get on it quick..before Jennifer gets off the fence.

  30. HotLatino says:

    Steven is being paid 18 million a year and GODLo only 12 million, that is so unfair, why is the woman being paid less HUH?!!!!!! Go JLO aka GODLo, tu eres mi idolo y mi inspiracion, I love you so much!!

  31. HotLatino says:

    The new york times wrote an article about how Jennifer is the most irreplaceable judge and the writer said that Jenn singlehandedly resurrected Idol and the ratings prove it! America turned in only to watch her, not that druggie Steven!

  32. Scarlet Vixen says:

    I was just going to say that absolutely nobody watched Idol for JLo but then Crazy–I mean, @HotLatino posted. Seriously, the woman is useless. The only reason the viewer numbers didn’t completely nosedive is because Steven Tyler is mildly entertaining. And, Simon Cowell made so much because he was also a producer. He didn’t just sit there trying to look pretty and self-promote.

  33. Julie says:

    Please! Please!! PLEASE!!! SACK HER!!!! Tired of her and her banal music – ungrateful talentless ‘user’ woman.

  34. Louise says:

    She’s so stupid. Idol saved her career. Jennifer and her management must be stupid to think Idol will beg and give her whatever she wants. There are plenty of people who would love to take her spot for a lot less money. If Jennifer does leave, she must be kidding herself to think that she will be big without Idol.

  35. Quest says:

    If A.I pay Jlo any mnore for A.I she will just go out and by more horrible snake skin outfits. This time it may come with a hat.

  36. Madisyn says:

    Shania Twain, Jennifer Hudson, Sheryl Crow, all excellent ideas and much better choices than J. Lo. And would probably not ask for as much money or be as demanding, maybe would even be thankful for the job and not like this woman, ungrateful.

  37. gg says:

    Man, she ain’t that great. Isn’t she just pretty much a (self) glorified model these days? She doesn’t have any songs and her singing is just okay, dog.

  38. HotLatino says:

    @gg hello!!!!!! she’s had a massive worldwide hit with On The Floor! #3 in America, it has spent like 12 weeks in the Top Ten, and it’s been #1 in 18 countries

  39. kasper says:

    JLo has a face like a bulldog’s ass. I would pay $12 million not to see her. If she gets her payday Blohan will be offering Cowell the interim use of every orifice in her body to be a judge on his gong show, since talent is obviously not a prerequisite.

  40. futureperfect says:

    It makes sense. She’s trying to break even for paying to be “voted” People Magazine’s World’s Most Beautiful Person 2011.

  41. kasper says:

    @ futureperfect — not even the Enquirer would have dared pull off a cover like that: “Nope, just not credible enough, let’s go with Dubya gets a martian anal probe.”

  42. Lucy says:

    maybe if she gets a raise her and that freaky husband of hers will pay their taxes….

  43. kasper says:

    They should replace her with Cher. Variety show experience? Check. Over the top singing? Check. Huge personality? Check. Funny? Check. Worst taste in clothing ever? Check. People will tune in just to see what fiasco she wears next.

  44. Kimbob says:

    Get rid of her! I. do. not. like. J-Lo. She’s rotten and greedy. She really makes me sick to my stomach.

  45. jover says:

    Sorry hotlatino on the floor is a pedestrian useless song Jho can’t sing and Pitbull has no idea what singing is – proves you can market anything these days and sheeple will buy it. Has she anytime in her life thought about anyone but herself, and she’s only down with the latin community when her “career” needs a boost; otherwise she lives in her celebrity fantasy world.

  46. JOEY SAYS NOEY says:

    Give me a break people Jlo worth 35 Million, not in my book. Shes not worth 3 million. Any executive that thinks differently has to much money to spend. How about sending some of that money to the US Government to pay off some of the national debt. The Judges don’t make the show its suppose to be about the talent. How about Diana Ross, or Natalie Cole, or even Donna Summer, Steve Perry, David Lee Roth. There are lots of better choices. Just please don’t hire on someone that wants to be all wholesome and then try to shake the booty like JLO did. I almost wet my pants I laughed so hard. I also swear Mark Anthony looks like hes on something. He doesn’t look healthy to me.

  47. anonymoose says:

    don’t give it to her. please. offer her scale and not a penny more. she can’t even sing her own way out of a paper bag, why would anyone want her opinion, let alone pay her for her opinion?

  48. Maritza says:

    She can easily be replaced, why don’t they hire Britney Spears? I’d love to see that happen! Although Cher would be great too.

  49. bluhare says:

    Fabulous idea to get Cher. She would kick some judge ass.

  50. Nev says:

    JLO, like her or not has a fabulous-ness that the show needs….the other judges have no flash and are boring tv personalities….she is running that show….top business woman….she always had that.

  51. Ilovemee says:

    She has always been greedy. You have to be in Hollywood, though. Once you hit 40 it’s all down hill from there. She just looking out for # 1.

  52. Lili says:

    This is the first season I don’t watch AI and didn’t bcuz of JLo. I’m Latin and she sickens me to a hurl. She sucks at everything she does. She needs to go kick rocks!

  53. Steffie says:

    Love your comment Lili