The American Idol judges table will be getting a major overhaul once again, as Steven Tyler has decided to walk away from the show and focus on Aerosmith. The band has been touring this summer and their first album in eight years, Music From Another Dimension, is due on November 6.
"I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress American Idol before she boils my rabbit," Tyler said in a statement. "I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back—but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass—the ultimate in auditory takeover."
Jennifer Lopez
Fellow judge Jennifer Lopez also confirmed on Friday morning that she will be saying goodbye to the show in order to focus on her music and movies. She tearfully announced the news during the radio show On Air with Ryan Seacrest.
"I really was dreading this phone call with you," Lopez playfully told Seacrest. "I honestly feel like the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do, which I put on hold because I love Idol so much. I have to come back to my other responsibilities... I could keep doing Idol for the rest of my life, but that would be giving up a bunch of other things. I feel like we had an amazing run."
Meanwhile, Fox may be close to signing another Pop diva to take J. Lo's place - none other than Mariah Carey. A source told People magazine that "They are in serious talks" with Carey about joining the show. As for the third judge, Randy Jackson (who also is Carey's manager), it seems likely that he'll return to Idol, but maybe in a different role. Us magazine reports that Jackson is considering a lateral move from judge to mentor on the show. "Show producers think they need to freshen everything up now," an unnamed source told the magazine.