[artist id="508574"]Jennifer Lopez[/artist] has long been a triple-threat, having conquered music, movies and everything in between. This week, "Jenny From the Block" adds a new gig to her extensive resume: [article id="1648445"]"American Idol" judge[/article]. On Wednesday night (January 18), as [article id="1656146"]the new season of the hit Fox reality series[/article] kicks off, fans are eager to see what the one-time "In Living Color" "fly girl" will bring to the mix, alongside fellow newbie Steven Tyler and "Idol" vet Randy Jackson.

Since [article id="1648469"]September's announcement[/article] that she got the gig, Lopez has made it clear she brings one thing to the table: "tough love."

"I think there are definitely better ways to get your point across [than being cruel]," she said at last year's announcement. "I've mentored on the show before, so I think people have seen that and kinda can feel how I'll be -- or maybe they'll be surprised."

Later that month, Lopez used three words to describe [article id="1649034"]her judging style[/article]: "tough, easy and fair."

"I don't want to let anybody really great [not make it through] because they're nervous, and not get to see what they could have did," Lopez said. "They're going to come in here and be a little bit nervous in the beginning, and then you realize, 'Wow, that person is really talented.' So we work them a little bit more than maybe you've seen in the past. We've given them more of a chance.

"We know what it's like to be out there," Lopez added. "I was energized by all of their spirit when they come in here, and they're so hopeful about what could happen and how it could be."

That same week, "AI" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe [article id="1648941"]posted a photo online[/article] of the new judges sitting at the table with "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest and Jackson.

With the release of her new song, [article id="1656129"]"On the Floor"[/article] (featuring Pitbull, produced by RedOne), and the new season ready to kick off, Lopez revealed she's really meshing with her fellow judges.

"I love everybody," she said back in October. "It's such a machine. It runs like clockwork. ... Everything's great!"

How do you think Jennifer Lopez will be as an "Idol" judge? Sound off in the comments below!

Don't miss our "American Idol" live stream "Judging the Judges: An 'Idol' Without Simon," featuring post-show analysis from Jim Cantiello and special guests, on MTV.com Wednesday (January 18) at 10 p.m. ET. Tweet your "Idol" commentary with the hashtag #idolwithoutsimon, and we could quote you on the show!

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.