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The same day Ellen DeGeneres announced she was stepping down from her position as "American Idol's" newest judge, reports surfaced that Jennifer Lopez is poised to take her place.
People magazine quoted an insider saying, "It's true, she's excited about it."
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Rock star Steven Tyler's name was also mentioned in the wake of Ellen DeGeneres' sudden "American Idol" departure. According to TMZ, Tyler was offered Simon Cowell's old job and would join Jennifer Lopez on the judging panel.
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Sean "Diddy" Combs revealed that he would be up
for being an "American Idol" judge - because he likes the salary. "Once I heard what Simon makes - I would love the job. I've got six kids. If I would get the same check Simon gets, we would have a ball," the rap mogul told George Lopez on "Lopez Tonight."
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Actress and singer Jessica Simpson is a rumored candidate to be one of the next "American Idol" judges. According to Entertainment Weekly, Simpson has already met with "Idol" execs in the hopes of taking over Simon Cowell's or Ellen DeGeneres' judging duties.
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Musician Chris Isaak is rumored to be one of the front-runners to replace Simon Cowell on "American Idol." According to The Hollywood Reporter, the "Wicked Games" singer has already met twice with "Idol" producers.
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Harry Connick Jr. charmed contestants and viewers with his humor when he guest mentored contestants during Season 9. The 42-year-old is rumored to be in the running with Chris Issak to replace Simon Cowell on "American Idol," according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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Recording artist and actor Jamie Foxx has proven that he has enough charisma to be on the panel of "American Idol" judges. The Oscar winner served as a guest mentor to the top four finalists on the ninth season of "Idol" and gave away T-shirts to the contenders.
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Rocker Bret Michaels openly lobbied for the opportunity to fill Simon Cowell's seat to Parade magazine and said he would "bring a lot to the table" if he was a judge. Back in May, the Poison frontman wowed fans after he performed at the "Idol" Season 9 finale, just a month after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
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Producer Steve Lillywhite has also shown interest in replacing Simon Cowell as judge. He posted a short video on YouTube campaigning to replace Cowell on the hit FOX show and said he has "credibility that very few people have."
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Despite his hosting and producing duties with NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice," Donald Trump has been cited as a serious candidate vying for Simon Cowell's job, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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Hollywood blogger Perez Hilton has not been shy about his desire to become the next "American Idol" judge. Back in May, Hilton told MTV News that he would replace Simon Cowell for free. "I've shamelessly been campaigning for the job and I am adamant and I believe I would do a great job," he said. "Plus, I'm not even joking, I would work for free the first season. After that, then we can talk about a fair paycheck."
Stephen Lovekin
Back in February, Howard Stern told listeners of his satellite radio show that Fox was interested in hiring him to replace Simon Cowell on the reality show. "It might be possible, we'll see," he said, adding, "They'd have to pay me a ton of dough because I already make a ton of dough."
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Back in January, rumors spread that legendary music executive Tommy Mottola was the top choice to replace Simon Cowell. According to MTV, Mottoloa, who was once married to Mariah Carey, came up on top out of a list of 25 potential Cowell replacements.
