'American Idol' Judge Jennifer Lopez Nears Deal for Another Season (Report)

8:16 PM PDT 7/24/2011 by THR staff

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The news comes after months of negotiations, during which Lopez has said she wasn't sure whether she would return to TV's No. 1 show.

Mark Davis/FOX

Jennifer Lopez is closing in on a deal that would see her back on the American Idol judging panel for at least one more season, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.

Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO at FremantleMedia North America, which produces the Fox singing competition, declined to comment on the negotiations when reached by the WSJ.

But she did say: “We’re in good shape. No worries. No dark clouds on the horizon.”

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Meanwhile, a rep for Lopez said, “There is nothing to announce.”

Fox had no comment.

The news comes after months of negotiations, during which Lopez has said she wasn't sure whether she would return to TV's No. 1 show.

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A potential reason? The Hollywood Reporter has reported that her annual salary is $12 million -- but she could be holding out for Simon Cowell's $35 million a year salary, which breaks down to $642,201 an hour of airtime.

She's also working with estranged husband Marc Anthony and Simon Fuller's XIX and Endemol to produce music talent show Q'Viva! As THR previously reported, the show is scheduled to begin shooting in the fall despite the couple's recent break-up.

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Meanwhile, host Ryan Seacrest's three-year, $45 million contract is up at the end of next season, leaving many in the industry to speculate whether the Idol vet will re-up at that time.

Lopez joined Idol last season amid a judges' shake-up that saw Simon Cowell, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara Dioguardi exit the show and Lopez and Steven Tyler come on board alongside veteran Randy Jackson.

Tyler has a multiyear contract with the show and will be back next year.

Jackson also is set to return for Idol's 11th season, which debuts in January.

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