American Idol confirms Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler as judges

American Idol has announced that pop star Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler are to be the new judges for the show to replace British judge Simon Cowell, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and songwriter Kara DioGuardi.

At an event in Los Angeles which ended months of speculation over who would join the show, producers announced the signing of Lopez and Tyler. Record producer Randy Jackson remains as a judge, the only original judge since the Idol’s 2001 debut, while Ryan Seacrest will be back as host.

“I want to give everybody a little love before I decide who goes home heartbroken,” rocker Steven Tyler said. Adding that “If you don’t like what I say – don’t get mad, get better.” JLo said she has long been a fan of the show and that the opportunity to be a judge “felt like the right thing at the right time” for her.

More big changes are to take place when the show returns to US television in 2011 after a four-year ratings decline, returning executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said.

Universal Music executive Jimmy Lovine will act as an in-house mentor and will be featured behind-the-scenes working weekly with the aspiring Idols as they compete to become the champion. Major record producers like Timbaland will also work with the contestants, but celebrity guest mentors will not.

Contestants will be required to dance more onstage and will be encouraged to perfect their own original style, instead of singing different genres each week, like country, disco or rock.

“We are 10 years-old and we are being given the opportunity to recreate the magic,” Lythgoe said, claiming the changes are a bid to find genuine stars.