Jennifer Lopez is a woman of many talents, she’s a singer-songwriter as well as a terrific actress. Apart from that the pop icon is also well known for her participation in the hit singing competition American Idol. She joined the show in its tenth season, but she wasn’t the only major star that joined American Idol that year. Alongside Lopez, singer Steven Tyler also entered the show as a judge by replacing Simon Cowell.
However, Tyler left the show just after two seasons, following which even Lopez left American Idol. But her decision to do so may have been secretly connected to the Aerosmith frontman.
Did Jennifer Lopez Quit American Idol because of Steven Tyler?
Jennifer Lopez has a remarkable career whether it be her singing endeavors or acting in well acclaimed movies. She further added another element in her diverse portfolio when she joined the singing show American Idol in its tenth season in 2011. Lopez entered the show following the departure of Ellen DeGeneres and immediately captured the viewers with her magnetic presence.
However, she wasn’t the only singer that was capturing all the attention as Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler also entered the show in the same season. Though the duo had never worked together, he was immediately impressed with her skills and career. He added via Digital Spy “I saw Jennifer in The Back-Up Plan, and I thought, ‘My God, she’s so real, and I want to be next to that.”
Tyler continued “I love it when it’s that real” and the duo bonded quickly while judging the show together. Even Lopez gushed (via Slow Radio) about working with Tyler and Randy Jackson adding, “It’s like having brothers for the first time in my life.” However, in a sudden turn of events both Tyler and Lopez left the show in 2012, and the Let’s Get Loud singer credited her busy schedule for this decision.
However, in an interview with ABC News, she did add that Steven Tyler’s exit might have played some part in her decision to leave American Idol. She said, “We had magic” and that “With him gone, it might be a different formula.” But much to the excitement of fans, she returned back to the show in its 13th season. Steven Tyler on the other hand moved on permanently to commit to his band.
Jennifer Lopez’s Team Was Against Her Participation in American Idol
After being one of the top performers in the music industry and a good number of movies to her name, Jennifer Lopez made a bold move when she entered American Idol. The singer songwriter entered the show in its tenth season and judged the show alongside Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson.
But this decision of hers also had some behind-the-scenes drama. In a chitchat with Interview magazine, the pop icon revealed that her team strongly advised her against getting on board American Idol. She added:
I’ve had kids and I haven’t worked for a couple of years. American Idol was a big show at the time. It really comes down to, what do I think I can bring to something? When all of my advisors were like, ‘Don’t do this, you’re going to be reduced to just a reality star.
She continued:
And I was just like, ‘No. I don’t think that’s what’s going to happen. I think I have something to contribute.’ I love music and I love mentoring people, and I wanted to share the things that I knew about the business. So it became more about, ‘What do I think I can do with this?
The singer just listened to her gut and entered the show with a fresh perspective. Rightly so she gained a huge fan following and continued to judge the show till 2012, after which she moved on to other opportunities.
But she did make a comeback in its 13th season and judged the show alongside Harry Conick Jr. and Keith Urban. She continued to do the same for the next three seasons until Fox canceled the show in 2016.
