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Jennifer Lopez Returning To 'American Idol,' According To Her Boyfriend

J.Lo's (Sort Of) Officially Back On 'Idol'
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NEW YORK, NY - JULY 26: Jennifer Lopez attends Viva Movil By Jennifer Lopez Flagship Store Opening at Viva Movil on July 26, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

One of the worst kept Hollywood secrets is (sort of) officially confirmed: Jennifer Lopez is returning to "American Idol."

Lopez's boyfriend, Casper Smart, let the news slip to E! Online. When asked if the "Live It Up" singer was coming back to the "American Idol" judges panel for Season 13, Smart said, "Yes."

Us Weekly also previously reported Lopez's deal was final, but Fox has declined to comment on the reports.

Fox boss Kevin Reilly confirmed Lopez was in talks to return to "Idol" when he announced Keith Urban would return to the "American Idol" judges table at the Television Critics Association Summer 2013 press tour earlier this month. Urban joined the show for Season 12 alongside Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, but the other three judges have all announced they will not return to the show for Season 13.

"American Idol" also let go of longtime executive producers Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick and tapped new producers to help reinvigorate the long-running singing competition. "[The new producers have] come in with dynamic ideas to tinker with the format between the auditions and the live ... We want some judges that are good at the job, that people like, that will refocus our attention on the contestants. We want some comfortable judges who make it comfortable to view and make it comfortable for the contestants," Reilly said.

"American Idol" returns to Fox in the winter of 2014.

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Before You Go

American Idol Judges Through The Years
Randy Jackson(01 of10)
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Name: Randy JacksonSeasons: 1-12Known for: Coining the phrases "Yo dawg" and "It's a little pitchy." (credit:Getty Images)
Paula Abdul(02 of10)
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Name:Paula AbdulSeasons: 1-8Known for: Crying while judging. (credit:Getty Images)
Simon Cowell(03 of10)
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Name: Simon CowellSeasons: 1-9Known for: His brutal judging tactics. (credit:Getty Images)
Kara DioGuardi(04 of10)
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Name: Kara DioGuardiSeasons: 8-9Known for: Introducing the world to "neckitude." (credit:AP)
Ellen DeGeneres(05 of10)
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Name: Ellen DeGeneresSeason: 9Known for: Walking away from her five-year contract after only one season. (credit:Getty Images)
Jennifer Lopez(06 of10)
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Name: Jennifer LopezSeasons: 10-11Known for: Stealing the spotlight from the contestants. (credit:Getty Images)
Steven Tyler(07 of10)
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Name: Steven TylerSeasons: 10-11Known for: Criticizing and hitting on contestants with confidence. (credit:Getty Images)
Nicki Minaj(08 of10)
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Name: Nicki MinajSeasons: 12-?Trademark: Feuding with Mariah Carey whenever possible. (credit:AP)
Keith Urban(09 of10)
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Name: Keith UrbanSeasons: 12-?Known for: Making country references whenever possible. (credit:Getty Images)
Mariah Carey(10 of10)
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Name: Mariah CareySeasons: 12-?Known for: Trying to compete with Nicki Minaj's diva lifestyle. (credit:Getty Images)
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