LITTLE ROCK — Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler will join Randy Jackson as American Idol judges next season, after months of turnover and speculation about the future of TV’s top-rated show. Actress-singer-dancer Lopez and Aerosmith frontman Tyler will have the job of trying to match the offbeat chemistry of former judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. “This is American Idol!” host Ryan Seacrest said after the new judges joined him onstage at the Forum arena in Inglewood, Calif., where the final national audition for next season’s singing contest was held Wednesday. Tyler said he wanted to join the show because “it’s being a part of something much bigger than yourself. ... I want to bring some rock to this roller coaster and show if you’ve got the heart, the talent, the feeling to do this you could be the next American Idol.” Lopez said, “I’m so excited.” She scored a reported $12 million to join the show. “I’m looking for the next Michael Jackson.” Cowell announced last January that he planned to leave to launch a new talent show for Fox in 2011, with newcomers Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi exiting this summer. Abdul left in 2009 over a contract dispute.
Paris Hilton canceled her Asia tour and returned home when she was denied entry at Tokyo’s airport Wednesday after a drug violation in the U.S. - running afoul of strict Japanese laws.“I’m going back home, and I look forward to coming back to Japan in the future,” a smiling Hilton told reporters before departing on her private jet. The 29-year-old celebrity socialite had arrived at Narita International Airport, outside the Japanese capital, two days after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge in Las Vegas. Japan has strict immigration laws that bar entry to those convicted of drug offenses, although exceptions are occasionally granted. Hilton was to appear Wednesday at a news conference in Tokyo to promote her fashion and fragrance lines. She arrived Tuesday evening, but was stopped at the airport and spent the night at an airport hotel after being questioned by officials. Hilton also canceled planned appearances in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Jakarta, Indonesia. Her publicist, Dawn Miller, said Hilton plans to make the trips at a later date.
Front Section, Pages 2 on 09/23/2010