At issue, reportedly, is a major tour. E! is reporting that, because Lopez’s tour with Enrique Iglesias could span at least through all of 2013, and could make her hundreds of millions, her chances to return to the Idol telecast for a new season are highly unlikely. Added to the mix are her family and new movie offers.

Lopez however says she hasn’t made an determination yet. She told E! Monday “It is just like any working mom’s dilemma. It’s tough. It’s a balancing act. You put them first and then you have all these other things that you have to do, that you have to give your time to as well, and you have to make sure that they’re OK in the process.”

She also told Ellen DeGeneres recently that she loves doing the show but that it is locking up her time, as a mother and also professionally. “I don’t know. I enjoy it. I really do enjoy it. This is my second year. I don’t know if I can go for a third year. I miss doing other things. It really does lock you down.” Nigel Lythgoe tells news that he wants Lopez back but is unsure if she will return.