FOX announced on Wednesday the new judges' panel for season 10 of "American Idol."
Hollywood's worst kept secret was officially revealed in a press conference Wednesday before a crowd of several thousand in Los Angeles, kicking off the final judges' round of auditions for season 10 of the hit show.
After months of speculation and rumors, Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler and pop superstar Jennifer Lopez were both confirmed to be replacing original judge Simon Cowell as well as season nine judges Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi.
Lopez and Tyler will join the series' only remaining original judge Randy Jackson at the judges' table this January.
"I don't think I will watch it this year because Simon and Paula are no longer judges so it just won't be the same," said freshman Mandy Cox. "And Randy's an idiot so I don't care to hear his opinion on the contestants."
Cox also said she liked Ellen DeGeneres.
"Yeah I liked her; she lightened things up with her analogies," she said.
Other ‘Idol' fans at Oklahoma State University have voiced similar concerns.
"I have watched American Idol in the past and have enjoyed it, but because of the recent changes in judges, I am skeptical as to whether or not the show will be interesting and/or popular," said freshman Chelsea Kilian.
Kilian said she is hopeful, though.
"I think (losing Simon Cowell is) definitely a loss to the show because he was almost, in my opinion, the voice of reason and honesty and he was personally my favorite, but I'm hoping that these new judges will be able to fill his shoes," she said
Host Ryan Seacrest said his trademark line, "This is American Idol!" after Lopez, Tyler and Jackson joined him onstage at the Forum Arena, where the final national audition for next season was held Wednesday.
Tyler definitely brings back the experience aspect, which has been lacking since Paula Abdul left after a contract dispute in 2009.
But the effects of Tyler's nearly four decades in rock and roll showed at the news conference. Several questions had to be repeated because he couldn't hear them clearly.
Tyler explained his reason behind joining the show.
"It's being a part of something much bigger than yourself," Tyler said.
"I want to bring some rock to this roller coaster and show if you've got the heart, the talent and the feeling to do this, you could be the next American Idol."
Jennifer Lopez emerged from a thick cloud of special-effects smoke in a sparkling silver cat-suit.
"I'm so excited," Lopez said, who landed an estimated $12 million to join the show.
"I'm looking for the next Michael Jackson."
Lopez said she won't be trying to replace the show's departed, sharp-tongued judge Cowell.
"I believe in tough love, but I'm an artist myself," she said. "I could never be cruel to another artist."
The new season will bring some other changes including axing the celebrity mentors segments that have been mainstays for the program since season two.
The producers said contestants won't be forced to stray away from their genre: country singers can sing country songs; rock singers won't have to sing folk songs.
Even with the ratings decline over the last few seasons, "American Idol" still remains television's most watched show.
With the addition of Tyler and Lopez, it's safe to say that season 10 will bring anticipation and buzz until the season premiere.
"American Idol" returns in January.
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