Jennifer Lopez returned to the judges' panel at American Idol with a different view on life, especially in regards to her ever getting married again.

The singer separated from ex-husband Marc Anthony in July 2011 after seven years of marriage. Not long after she went on to join the FOX series as a judge for seasons 10 and 11 in 2011 and 2012, respectively. 

"That was such a transformative year for me in so many ways," Lopez told reporters on Monday, Jan. 13, ahead of Idol's season 13 premiere on Wednesday. "I had just divorced, I went on tour with the kids, and I left Idol. All my security blankets were gone, and I was out there doing something I had never done before."

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During her travels in 2013 for her first world tour she relied on support from her mother and boyfriend Casper Smart, whom Lopez called "fantastic" with her 5-year-old twins Emme and Max.

"I was surrounded by love and family," Lopez, 44, said. "I really grew. My goal was not to come out the other side and just survive it but grow as a human being as well as an artist, and I felt I did. I learned a lot."

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One thing Lopez has accepted over time is that she is someone who prefers to be in a relationship. She told the press, "I'm one of those people who does not like to be alone. I have no shame saying that at this point in my life. I think we have to own who we are."

However, when it comes to marriage for her and Smart, the singer was still unclear where their relationship is headed.

Lopez and the dancer-choreographer have been dating for two years. If they were to get married it would be her fourth time walking down the aisle. She wed Ojani Noa in January 1997 and they split one year later. She then married dancer Cris Judd in 2001 until their divorce in 2003. Lopez dated Ben Affleck for over two years and they called off their engagement in 2004.

 When asked if she would like to get married a fourth time she said, "I don't know. We'll see. I don't know."

"You know, I've always believed in that institution. I believe in it, but it is difficult," she added. "I've had my challenges, but at the same time I believe in love, and I think that is the main thing."

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