Los Angeles. Jennifer Lopez may have had a rocky middle of the year due to her split from husband Marc Anthony, but she has come out of it all with a smile and a spring in her step.

Some might say that it has something to do with boy toy Casper Smart, 24 , but if you prefer your analysis of female celebrities without a side order of misogyny, it's fair to say that La Lopez, 42 , has a lot to be happy about thanks to her own glittering career.

Arguably the jewel in the crown of her manifold empire is her role on the judging panel of the unstoppably successful, American Idol.

When it was announced back in 2010 that the diva was in consideration as a replacement for Ellen DeGeneres, many jeered that Jenny from the Block wouldn't cut it as a judge.

They've been proven wrong, and last season's combination of Lopez, Randy Jackson, 55 , and Steven Tyler, 63 , proved to be a hit with viewers even without Simon Cowell, 50.

His X Factor USA has been drawing in roughly half the amount of viewers that Idol averaged across their season, they debuted to around 25 million and stayed steady.

So it's with some degree of anticipation that today's auditions in Pasadena, California are being viewed, as they signal a kickstart to series 11, which begins on Fox early next year.

There is of course the magical frisson of J-Lo's soap opera life added into the mix, and many fans will look forward to seeing how the superstar appears to be after her tumultuous life changes.

They all remember the show-stopping song and dance routine that Lopez and her now estranged husband Anthony left them with at the May finale of the last season. And it isn't too much to wonder, given the public flaunting of her relationship with Smart - who is already getting to know twins Max and Emme, three, - that he may appear with her too. He is, after all, conveniently her backing dancer. But yesterday, it was J-Lo in business mode as she strode into the auditions flanked by a bodyguard and looking frankly, exquisite.

The mother-of-two donned white palazzo trousers with a 60s' inspired black sweater and platform shoes with a yellow tie in to her glorious mustard-coloured coat, also a look from the decade that swung. She finished the look with a leopard print clutch, which tied in with the retro riviera feel of the ensemble.

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