The Aerosmith singer says he is exiting before the show boils his rabbit, and is returning to his band.
1:45 PM PDT 7/12/2012 by Jordan Zakarin HollywoodReporter.com
The longtime frontman of Aerosmith has been on a judge on the show for the past two years, joining with Jennifer Lopez following the exit of Simon Cowell and Paul Abdul.
"After some long......hard......thoughts…I’ve decided it’s time for me to let go of my mistress ‘American Idol’ before she boils my rabbit,” he 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.
"On Nov 6, we are unleashing our new album, Music from Another Dimension on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and way beyond the stars," he continued. "'Idol’ was over the top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it’s time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD.”
Added Simon Fuller, the show's creator and executive producer, "Steven Tyler is a real ‘Idol,’ a rock legend. If you had told me 10 years ago he would be a judge on AMERICAN IDOL, I would have thought it impossible. The fact that this became a reality and we had the pleasure of him gracing our stage for two seasons makes me very proud. I completely understand his desire to get back to his life as the singer in America's greatest-ever rock band. AMERICAN IDOL will miss him!"
Tyler may be joined in exodus by Lopez, who said on Thursday that it may be time for her to leave, as well.
The pop-star and actress spent two years as a judge on the show, and exits a day after fellow judge Steven Tyler bowed out.
The American Idol exodus continues.
Jennifer Lopez, who has spent the last two years as a judge on the reality singing competition, will not return for a third season. Lopez broke the news to Idol host Ryan Seacrest on his radio show Friday morning. On Thursday, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, who joined the show at the same time as Lopez, announced his departure.
Lopez, who is launching a tour with Enrique Iglesias, cited her many projects and responsibilities, saying, "I honestly feel like the time has come for me to doing the other things I do that I've kind of put on hold because I love Idol so much."
The singer, who also produces the show Q'Viva! with ex-husband Marc Anthony, said that she'd be happy to serve Idol in a more limited, guest capacity. Seacrest swore that he had no part in Lopez's decision, and that it was all between Fox and Lopez.
Explaining her difficulty choosing whether or not to return, she said, "It's one of those special things in your life that you don't want to walk away from," and insisted it had nothing to do with a pay increase; she earned $12 million the past season. On Thursday, Lopez hinted on the Today Show that she was leaning toward leaving.
Lopez's exit comes at another time of great turnover for Idol, as the show now hosts for at least two new judges, and perhaps a third if Randy Jackson, the last remaining original judge, leaves as well. The show was down 25 percent in viewership this past season, with a finale taking in 21 million viewers.
Jennifer Lopez Dumped From 'Idol' After Seeking Raise to $17M (Exclusive)
Published: July 13, 2012 @ 2:05 pm
by Sharon Waxman TheWrap.com
Jennifer Lopez says it was her choice to leave "American Idol" -- but the singer was actually dumped by Fox when she asked for a $2 million raise in salary to $17 million, a person familiar with the negotiations told TheWrap.
Fox also opted not to pick up Steven Tyler's option, the person said. Tyler announced his departure Thursday, saying he had decided to devote his energies to his first love, Aerosmith. Lopez said she wanted to focus on other aspects of her career and her children.
The exits -- and the possible departure of Randy Jackson, widely speculated to be considering an exit after judging on all 11 seasons of the former No. 1 show -- come as it undergoes another dramatic overhaul, just two seasons after the show was retooled by introducing Tyler and Lopez.
The insider said top Fox executives Peter Rice and Kevin Reilly want to revamp the show, and that Rice has told colleagues he wants an "Idol 2.0," of which host Ryan Seacrest would be the only essential ingredient.
A Fox spokeswoman declined to comment.
The insider said J. Lo's fee went from $12 million in her first season to $15 million in her second. When she asked for another $2 million, the network surprised her by not making a counteroffer.
"Idol" lost its top spot in the ratings to NBC's "Sunday Night Football" last season after eight years of dominance. In their two seasons, Tyler and Lopez helped prop up the show. But they could not return it to its former dominance as the sing-off market became glutted with competition, including NBC's "The Voice" and Fox's "X Factor" from ex-"Idol" judge Simon Cowell.
That glut -- which also includes ABC's "Duets" -- has created a mini gold rush for singers.
Many music stars are being considered to replace Lopez and Tyler, including Mariah Carey -- whom Cowell has long sought for "X Factor" -- Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and Lenny Kravitz.
If Jackson stays with "Idol," he has an inside track with Carey that his former "Idol" colleague lacked: Jackson is Carey's manager.
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