Article by: Kathleen Valones
Fox made the announcement official - Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler are the new American Idol judges. They join Randy Jackson, the only original judge, behind the panel.
The Huffington Post reports that the anoucement was made at the Forum arena, where the final national audition for next season's singing contest was held Wednesday. The mini-show was streamed live online by Fox.
Tyler expressed his intent on bringing out some rock to the show. Lopez, on the other hand, is "looking for the next Michael Jackson."
The new roster of judges is not the only change that is expected this season. For one, the label that develops, distributes and markets the new Idol will be Interscope Geffen A&M Records, a division of Universal Music Group. It was previously Sony Music Entertainment.
Next, there will be no celebrity mentors, unlike in past seasons. Sure, cause that sort of stunt is an X-Factor thing.
The show will also honor that genre that each contestant belongs to. In other words, we probably won't be hearing a country week, but you'll be hearing country singers consistently singing country. (Gosh, I hope there aren't too many of those in the coming season).
Moreover, the judges won't try to be the next Simon Cowell. While Lopez admits she is a fan of Simon and a fan of tough love, she also explains that because she is an artist herself, she can "never be cruel to another artist."
Idol producers are also aiming to get the younger audience back on their feet supporting the show and the new Idols. Advertisers love the younger generation, hence, this new direction.
Ironically though, depite wanting to lure the younger fans, the judges are from a more mature generation - Lopez is 41, Tyler is 62, and Jackson is 54. What they have instead that they can brag about is a lifetime of experience they can impart. (Never mind that they haven't scored a hit recently. Paula was the pioneer has-been who made Idol judge history).
Here's hoping that Tyler and Lopez pump in their own blood and won't remind us of Simon or Paula. I truly want a new show to come out of this.
See more photos of American Idol Season 10 judges:
