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Steven Tyler Opens Up About Leaving American Idol: It Was “Not My Cup of Tea”

Truth rating: 10

7:12 pm, July 31st, 2012

(GettyImages.com)

Steven Tyler is opening up in-depth about his two-year stint on “American Idol” for the first time since announcing his exit from the show earlier this month.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, the Aerosmith front man says the reality competition was “not my cup of tea,” and reveals several of the issues he had with being a judge on the show.

“It was just hard work: seven-hour days and then I went and did the [Aerosmith] album for eight hours after that,” Tyler explains.

RELATED – Mariah Carey Officially New “American Idol” Judge

The rocker admits he also had trouble delivering some of the harsh criticism “Idol” had been known for under the reign of Simon Cowell, saying, “They wanted me to take the piss out of the kids and I don’t have that in me.”

“That’s not what I’m about,” he tells the magazine. “That’s more about that other guy. Not me.”

Summing up his experiences on the show, Tyler says he “loved it and hated it,” acknowledging that “it was a great job, I sat next to J. Lo and I made a ton of money.”

But, he points out, “It was a moment in life and it became larger than life.”

What do you think of Tyler’s “Idol” reflections?

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  • Lola

    I think it’s ridiculous that judges are expected to be down right rude and nasty to contestants, there is such a thing as constructive criticism but there is absolutely need for the patronizing comments that Simon Cowell use to hand out. Yes some people need to understand that they really can’t sing but aside from that I don’t really understand why judges of shows like this are encouraged to be disheartening.

  • Brianroberts_ky

    I struggle to pay my mortgage and feed my family from month to month so screw him.

  • Danny

    That’s why I don’t like Idol, they’re basically telling him to be rude to play a character to get their ratings. At least with shows like The Voice, each coach/judge is themselves and coaches/judges the way they want to based on their own experiences.

  • Anonymous

    You must be constantly mad at the world.

  • Regina1180

    If he had such a hard time, why keep the job after the first season? Oh right, money.

  • Cassie

    My opinion is THIS. If you don’t like it don’t do it. If your doing it JUST for money then that says a lot about that person as a whole. Why be there letting people o for their dreams ad your SUPPOSE to mentor and help then and you don’t even wanna be there? Let someone who wants to be there judge then. If people can’t take the critism they don’t need to be on the show. I act and model. I’ve been talked shitti my FACE. that is the industry. If they couldn’t take Simon cowells judgement or anyone else’s then they don’t need to be in the industry at all. Cause there are A MILLION of Simons out there and worse trust. I however would never be able to insult people but I would be 100% honest and straight forward. I feel the contestants need that. Not to have shit sugarcoated to them. I’d rather have someone be blunt and honest than to make me feel good by lying to my face. BUT he knew fr the start how it was gonna be so he’s immature for accepting the job if he wasn’t going to commit to it. And of COURSE it’s hard work. It’s no like they were gonna pay you to sit and chill all day. I personally think they should hire the America people. Do auditions or trials or whatever and pay actual American citizens and have American pick actual American people to be judges. Cause WE know what type of artist and music we wanna hear. We get to vote why not judge? People may say it may not get ratings but I bet you it will! Who want to see regular everyday interesting people judge others? I would!

  • Tom

    The judges on Idol are useless. No real criticism or advice at all. They are all to soft. When someone actually gives real advice or a real opinion the tv audience does not like it at all anyway We live in a world of big pussies.

  • Claire

    We’ve all read enough about A/I to know that basically its just one big fabrication anyway. I have to give Steven credit for ‘telling his side of the story….I mean really had he not done so, he may have left the door partially open to return to the show if his band sizzled. And paying someone to rip people’s pride/dreams apart? You’ve got to be kidding A/I! I’ve heard this for years but now know its the truth. I feel sorry for anyone who tries out for the show.

  • Jennifer

    Really? You and everybody else.

  • Jennifer

    Plus it put him back in the limelight and gave his and Aerosmith’s career a pretty good shot in the arm.

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