TMZ.Com tells us that La Toya Jackson is next in line to fill Simon Cowell‘s shoes on “American Idol” — that’s if La Toya Jackson has anything to do with it.

We’re told MJ’s sister and former “Idol” producer Nigel Lythgoe cozied up at a housewarming party for Kathy Hilton in Bel Air recently — before Simon broke his big news — and the topic came up of La Toya possibly guest-judging on the show.

But now that Simon’s out of the picture, La Toya wants more.

We spoke to her and she tells TMZ: “I would LOVE to be a judge on ‘American Idol.’ I would love to have a chance for the public get to know the real me. I would be thrilled.”

In other news: there’s a “real” La Toya Jackson.

TMZ.Com tells us that Simon Cowell will no longer be crushing terrible singers’ dreams on the most popular show on television. Cowell just announced this will be his last season on “American Idol” — and that he’s leaving the show to be a judge and executive producer on FOX’s upcoming American version of “The X Factor” … the British talent show that launched Leona Lewis‘ career.

Cowell just made the announcement during the semiannual Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena.
Simon said he was “offered a lot of money” to stay on “American Idol” … but he “wanted to do something different.” BTW, Simon reportedly makes around $36 million a year on “A.I.”

For his part, Ryan Seacrest tweeted: “this is simon’s last season on idol. He’s working on US version of x-factor! He is one of the most brilliant people in our biz! Congrats.” Ironically, Simon and new host Ellen DeGeneres were featured on the cover of Entertainment Weekly last week and Ellen addressed the rumor of Simon leaving by saying, “If Simon goes, I go!”