Jennifer Lopez began her new role as a judge on American Idol last night (January 19).

The singer and actress was joined by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson on the first programme of the show’s 10th season.

One young hopeful told J’LO “I’ve looked up to you since I was four”.

But the Grammy award nominated singer was tough on weak vocalists. At one point, she threw her hands up in the air and shouted: “This is awful. I can’t do this”.

Tyler was less harsh, telling one hopeless contestant that they should consider choosing a different career path.

Simon Cowell has left the judging panel to work on the US version of The X Factor, set to premier in September.