Jennifer Lopez champions Blige for Idol

Jennifer Lopez thinks Mary J. Blige would be "great" on American Idol.

There were two free seats on the panel of the hit talent contest following the departure of Jennifer and Steven Tyler. While Mariah Carey has been confirmed as one of the replacements, Mary, Miley Cyrus and Adam Lambert have been suggested too.

Jennifer thinks Mary would be the ideal mentor.

"I heard all the names everyone else is talking about. I've heard Mary J. [Blige]. I think Mary J. would be great.

"I would say yes Mary, you should do it because I know her personality and I know she loves music, and that's a big part of it - loving music and loving artists," she said when asked what she'd do if Mary called for advice. "And I would tell her the good things and the tough things about it. It will lock you down for a little while and you won't be able to do everything that you always do, but it's a great experience."

Jennifer also discussed why she decided to leave. It wasn't an easy choice to make, but the star knew it was time to move on.

"The biggest surprise was how much I loved it. I literally cried the day I made the decision. I was going back and forth about the decision and then when I did I knew it was the right thing to do. It was painful," she told 103.5 KTU News.

"I mean, all of it played a part. There's a lot of moving parts to my life, from my kids to all the other businesses I have, to movies, to singing, to touring. I love the show, and I love doing the show, but this is what I do. I did it for two years, and you kind of put things on hold for a little while. You think am I going to do this again, or am I going to get back to what I do. And I had to get back to what I do."