Tyler Leaving ‘Idol’

Steven Tyler is giving up his chair on the judging panel on “American Idol” to return to his first love, Aerosmith.

Tyler, who served as a judge with Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez during the 10th and 11th seasons of the reality TV show, sent out the following statement to explain his decision.

“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. 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…’Idol’ was over the top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it’s time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD.”

“American Idol” creator and executive producer Simon Fuller sent out his own statement to bid Tyler farewell.
“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!”

Earlier today Lopez told NBC’s “Today” that she’s not sure whether she’ll be returning to “Idol.”

“I know everybody wants that definite ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ and … all I can let you in on is my own thought process with it, because that’s where I truly am,” Lopez said. “And the truth is, I love everybody. I love all the guys on the show. I love the family that’s there. Like I said, I’ve just enjoyed it so much. But I am thinking that maybe it’s time for me to go and do other things that I really love to do. But then again I really love the show. So…”

The 12th season of “Idol” is scheduled to air in January.