American Idol

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's separation has taken a back seat.

Nearly a month after the couple split, the two singers were spotted basking in the Long Island sun near Sagg Main Beach in Southampton ... inside a red Mustang convertible.

No explanation yet for the unexpected reunion today -- but Marc's rep tells TMZ, he was on the East Coast visiting his children.

5:32 PM: A rep for J.Lo tells TMZ, "They are NOT back together -- they were just visiting each other and the children."

"American Idol" Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe is way too smart to play coy with the judges who helped resurrect the show -- Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson have all re-signed.

Nigel made the announcement on Ryan Seacrest's radio show this AM, saying, "I am delighted to say that all three judges, along with the brilliant host of 'American Idol' are back for the next season."

The buzz is ... Jennifer got a huge pay bump -- from $12 million last season to $20 mil next season. Steven Tyler still has a year to go before his contract is up, but we're hearing he got an increase as well.

Casey Abrams didn't plan on revealing to the world he was dealing with ulcerative colitis when he became a contestant on "American Idol" -- but then he became hospitalized, and saw himself splashed all over TMZ, and decided to speak out.

Abrams recently announced he's the spokesperson for a national disease awareness campaign called IBD Icons, designed to let people know that living with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) isn't the end of the world.

Abrams tells TMZ he didn't know how to handle his disease when he went on "Idol," which landed him in the hospital -- and he read all about it on TMZ. He told us, "It's kind of funny that right when I went to the hospital and checked TMZ, the headline was 'Casey Abrams Hospitalized.'"

Now he's using his "Idol" fame to raise awareness about the disease, telling us, "I want people to send in their stories of how they overcomeit. I don't have the best speaking skills, but people know who I am and I feel they might listen to a familiar face. I feel I have a responsibility to step up and talk about this really graphic disease."

Let's hope Fantasia Barrino listed "cash" on her new baby registry, because she might need it -- TMZ has learned she's on the receiving end of a new $25,000 lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, filed last month, the former "American Idol" champ -- who announced earlier this week she is expecting baby #2 -- is being sued by a collection company on behalf of U.S. Bank for allegedly owing them money.

The lawsuit doesn't explain why, and neither side would go into details, but the suit is asking for $25,057.02 plus 10% interest per year dating back to May 2009.

The "Idol" gang FREAKED OUT when a series of crazy "coincidences" occurred in the Bev Hills mansion back in March ... including a spooky spider infestation, flickering lights and one of the wannabes SWORE they saw a white sheet come to life and float down the stairs.

But now, the house has officially sold to a guy named Steven B. Dunn -- the guy who started a baby product company called Munchkin, Inc. ... which posted more than $100 mil in sales in 2008.

The house -- 9 beds, 9 baths, giant pool, marble all over the place and a motor court with enough room to park 100 cars -- was originally on the market for $12 mil ... so it appears Dunn got himself quite a deal.

Bucky -- who placed 8th on "Idol" back in 2006 -- was set to perform at the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach, Florida on June 30 as part of a July 4 NASCAR race week celebration ... when the promoter suffered chest pains and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

With the promoter out of the picture, Bucky allegedly saw an opportunity to raid the cash box -- and instructed his brother and his brother's wife to pull off a snatch and grab.

The promoter filed a police report, obtained by TMZ, claiming the Covington gang made off with roughly $1,500 bucks that night ... which they refuse to give back.

TMZ spoke to Bucky ... who adamantly denies the allegations ... but adds, "I'm just glad I'm big enough to be on TMZ! Thanks!"

Fuller filed a legal complaint, and his publicist told Deadline.com that Fox and Fremantle refused to honor a 2005 contract that Fuller claims gave him both the title and the cash.

Here's the interesting backstory. Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell hate each other. The bad blood started over who got the creative credit for "A.I." and it has been building ever since.

UPDATE: FOX and Fremantle have released a joint statement -- saying, "Mr. Fuller has not been hired, nor performed any duties, on the U.S. version of "The X Factor."

Randy appeared cool, calm and collected during the conversation with the sunbather ... and while her identity is still a mystery, we're told she had a British accent, which would explain why she looked so comfortable doing the whole topless thing.

J.Lo explained the whole thing to BBC Radio -- saying, "I haven't been forced to make a decision and I'm glad about that because honestly I'm very on the fence about it."

Lopez added -- "I loved it, but I have a lot of other things happening, and it's going to come down to me making a choice of what I want to do for the next year."

One of those "other things" J.Lo is working on is her OWN singing competition show with hubby Marc Anthony -- called "Que 'Viva!: The Chosen". The show will focus on undiscovered vocal talent in Latin America.

FYI -- J.Lo reportedly made $12 MILLION for her role as a judge on AI this season.

Sources close to the club tell us -- "Idol" Season 5 finalist Ace Young visited the Chippendales at the Rio in Vegas recently ... and was SUPER interested in donning the famous bow tie and shirt cuffs.

According to sources, Young paid Chipps a visit to hang out with Timmons -- and to see how the whole guest-hosting thing works.

So far, there's no deal in place -- but it looks promising.

According to Locke, she's had to fight tooth and nail to get paid for performing in a 2008 "American Stars in Concert" tour -- featuring several AI alums -- even AFTER a court ordered producer Scott Stander to hand over the dough.

Epperson -- who placed in the Top 16 on "A.I." in 2008 -- filed a request for a restraining order against her 27-year-old ex BF ... claiming the guy has a history of "choking me and slamming me on the ground, fighting and wrestling me."

According to the docs filed in L.A. County Superior Court, Epperson claims the abuse got so bad, the ex began making "threats about killing me and then himself."

She claims he also, "called people out of my phone and threatened them as well ... threatened to shoot my friends."

Fortunately for Asia'h ... her request was granted and the ex-BF was ordered to stay 100 yards away from her at all times.

TMZ broke the story Lauren could not finish her rehearsal and the doctor froze her throat to save her voice. Haley Reinhart was summoned to the set and ready to perform if Lauren couldn't.

The doctor compared Lauren's throat to a runner with a sprained ankle.

But the show just started live on the East coast and the Midwest and Lauren is there. We'll let you know how she's doing.

UPDATE: Lauren has finished two songs ... so far, so good. Her voice hasn't cracked once during the entire show. In fact, according to the judges, her second song topped Scotty's.

TMZ broke the story ... Lauren lost her voice and could not finish rehearsing for tonight's finale.

Producers have brought Haley Reinhart to the set and she is currently in wardrobe. If Lauren can't compete, Haley will square off against Scotty McCreery for the title.

We're told during the rehearsal this afternoon, Lauren -- who has been losing her voice -- was supposed to sing three songs. She got through the first, struggled through the second and was unable to perform the third.

Our spies say a doctor on the set has ordered Lauren not to sing or speak, but there is a "real possibility" she will not be able to perform on tonight's show.

We're told if Lauren is unable to perform, producers will reinstate the third place finisher -- Haley Reinhart who will then compete against Scotty McCreery for the title.