Steven Tyler Quits American Idol

American Idol Steven Tyler

4:43 pm, July 12th, 2012

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(GettyImages)

Steven Tyler is leaving “American Idol.”

FOX announced Tyler’s departure on Thursday.

The Aerosmith frontman has been a judge on the show for the past two seasons.

“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,” said Tyler in a statement. “I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I’m back – but instead of begging on my hands and knees, I’ve got two fists in the air and I’m kicking the door open with my band.”

He described his “Idol” stint as “over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it.”

The show’s creator, Simon Fuller, said in a statement, “The fact that this became a reality and we had the pleasure of [Tyler] gracing our stage for two seasons makes me very proud.”

Fuller added, “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 on Thursday, fellow judge Jennifer Lopez, who joined when Tyler did in 2010, told the “Today” show she was also thinking about leaving the show.

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