Jennifer Lopez is not a diva, returning 'American Idol' executive producer Nigel Lythgoe says

08/13/2010 by Corinne Heller

Nigel Lythgoe, who is set to return as executive producer of American Idol, says Jennifer Lopez is not a "diva," following reports of alleged soured negotiations to become one of its judges amid a series shake-up.

"That woman is in no way a diva," Lythgoe told Yahoo! Music recently. "I've worked with her on quite a few occasions and I have never yet seen her be a diva."

He did not confirm or deny reports of negotiations between Lopez and American Idol representatives -- all of which have not commented on the matter either. People magazine had earlier this week quoted an unnamed source as saying Lopezs demands for being a judge were "out of hand" and that "FOX had just enough."

Lythgoe left the show in 2008, saying he wanted to concentrate on his other projects, such as So You Think You Can Dance. He has since said he would replace the entire judges panel on American Idol.

The ratings for the American Idol finale in May were the lowest recorded among its season ending episodes. General ratings for American Idol have more than tripled since the series debuted in 2002 but have declined slowly during the past few years.

Simon Cowell left the show after its season nine finale in May. Randy Jackson, who has been a judge on the series since it began in 2002, appears to be set to return for the upcoming 10th season, which is scheduled to air in January. It it unclear how many judges will serve on the panel.

Ellen Degeneres, who joined the show last season, said on Thursday in a statement she had decided to leave American Idol, citing a busy work schedule and saying she felt it difficult to "judge people and sometimes hurt their feelings." She showed off her hip hop dance moves on So You Think You Can Dance on Thursday.

Songwriter Kara DioGuardi had joined the show in 2008. Longtime judge Paula Abdul is launching her own series, a CBS reality dance competition show that is based on a British program and is set to air in the 2010-11 season. Recent reports have said DioGuardi will not return for season 10.

Lythoe said that the judges should "fit in with the people around them and we get a feeling that they know what they are talking about."

"You just want honest people," he said. "It isn't just about what you've done in your career, it's how you fit in with the people around you. I wouldn't be going back if I didn't think the show would be turned around. I do think if we put the focus back in the right place, which is on the young talent - it's a celebration of music and a celebration of young talent. Why wouldn't it be successful?"