Jennifer Lopez says she left American Idol because of Steven Tyler’s exit from the show
Despite reports that Jennifer Lopez was pushed out of American Idol by Fox network brass, the singer says Steven Tyler’s exit from the singing competition is the real reason she decided to call it quits.
“We had magic,” Jennifer Lopez revealed in a new interview with ABC News reporter Amy Robach on Sunday in Montreal, Canada.
“I don’t know, with him gone, it might be a different formula,” Jennifer Lopez said during a break from her concert at Bell Centre in Montreal.
Steven Tyler, 64, announced his departure on Thursday, saying he was leaving to return to his “first love”, Aerosmith.
A day later, Jennifer Lopez, 42, announced she would not be returning to American Idol because she wanted to resume her music and acting career.
Jennifer Lopez announced she would not be returning to American Idol because she wanted to resume her music and acting career
Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez joined the hit series judges for the 2011 season, alongside Randy Jackson who has been part of the original judges’ table since the show first began in 2002.
But over the weekend, The Los Angeles Times and Hollywood trade website Thewrap.com, both reported that Jennifer Lopez was “dumped by [U.S. network] Fox after asking for a $2 million raise in salary”, which would have taken her pay to a whopping $17 million.
Sources told The Wrap that Fox also opted not to pick up fellow judge Steven Tyler’s option to appear on the next season of the show.
According to thewrap.com, Jennifer Lopez was surprised that Fox did not try to negotiate with a counter offer when she asked for the extra cash.
Along with Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, several reports are also hinting that long serving judge Randy Jackson, 56, is also considering departing the show.
However, Randy Jackson has remained mum about the speculation surrounding his future on the series.
With her American Idol days done, Jennifer Lopez has taken to the road for her North American tour with singer Enrique Iglesias.
“I wouldn’t be a good judge,” the superstar singer told ABC News.
“It’s a lot of pressure, just thinking about, <<Oh my god, I just ruined this person’s career>>.”
Jennifer Lopez says no matter where she goes next in her own career she’ll never forgot the time she spent on American Idol.
“It got me back in touch with who I was, watching the contestants and singers,” she said.
“That’s why it’s hard to walk away.”
After years of dominating the U.S. ratings, American Idol has slipped in recent years, losing out to NBC’s Sunday Night Football last season, with ratings slipping by 23%.
The rest of Jennifer Lopez’s interview will air tomorrow in the U.S. on Good Morning America and Nightline.