Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler leaving “American Idol”

GlobalPost

Update: Mariah Carey in 'serious talks' to join American Idol after Jennifer Lopez's departure

Jennifer Lopez became the second judge in as many days to leave "American Idol" on Friday, joining Steven Tyler in exiting the top-rated TV show.

The Latina pop star has bee a judge for the singing content the past two seasons.

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"I honestly feel the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that you do, and you have to pay attention to that, too," Lopez told radio host Ryan Seacrest. "I could keep doing Idol for the rest of my life, but that would be giving up a bunch of other things. I feel like we had an amazing run."

A spokeswoman for the Fox TV network, which airs "American Idol," told Reuters the broadcaster had no immediate comment.

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Lopez has hinted at leaving the show for weeks, and left the door open for a return as a guest or mentor.

Tyler's announcement was more surprising. He bowed out on Thursday, according to the Christian Science Monitor, saying he wanted more time to work with his band Aerosmith.

"I strayed from my first love, Aerosmith, and I'm back," he said in a statement. "I've decided it's time for me to let go of my mistress 'American Idol' before she boils my rabbit." 

"American Idol" ratings have been on the decline for years. The recent season that ended in May had the lowest-rated finale in 11 years with just 21.5 million Americans tuning in, compared with more than 30 million viewers who watched the show's finale during its heyday in 2006 and 2007, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

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