Its Official: Jennifer Lopez Returning To Idol

FIRST PUBLISHED: August 17, 2011 1:33 PM EDT NEW YORK, N.Y. -- If there was ever any doubt, its gone now. Jennifer Lopez will be back at the judges panel for the 11th season of American Idol. The Fox network has made Lopezs return official, along with her fellow judges, Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler and record producer Randy Jackson. In addition, Fox said Wednesday that Ryan Seacrest will be back as host. Singer-actress Lopez debuted as a judge this past season. But in recent weeks, she had publicly been coy about whether she would stay with the hit musical competition. Any lingering skepticism was dispelled last week by Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe. He declared, unofficially, that Lopez would be back while interviewed on Seacrests radio program. American Idol begins its new season Jan. 22. ___ Online: http://www.fox.com Copyright 2011 by Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.