Randy Jackson is going to be lonely at the “American Idol” judges’ table without former cohorts Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. However, the reality TV star says his friendship with the two will continue to live on long after “Idol.”
“Steven and Jennifer are truly two of the most talented and consummate professionals I’ve worked with,” Randy told Gossip Cop in a statement, following the news that both Steven and J.Lo will not return for the show’s twelfth season. “I was friends with them before we hopped on this crazy journey together and I have no doubt our friendships will continue long after.”
Adding, “I will love them for life.”
As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, on Thursday, Steven announced he was leaving “Idol” to focus on his rock career with Aerosmith.
“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,” he said in a statement released to Access Hollywood on Thursday. “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.”
On Friday, Jennifer called in to “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS FM morning show to say she too will be bowing out.
“I honestly feel like just the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do that I’ve put kind of on hold because I love ‘Idol’ so much,” J.Lo told Ryan.
“American Idol” returns to FOX in January 2013.
–Erin O’Sullivan
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