Steven Tyler opens up about leaving 'American Idol'

Wednesday August 1, 2012 11:29 AM By Georgette Yacoub

Photo credit: Fox | Season 11 'American Idol' judge Steven Tyler.

Now that Steven Tyler has left "American Idol" to devote more time to rocking out with Aerosmith, the Yonkers native is getting candid about his former reality TV gig. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone he revealed, “I loved it and hated it. It was a great job, I sat next to J. Lo and I made a ton of money."

A day after Tyler announced his departure from "Idol," Jennifer Lopez also exited the show. A few weeks later, Fox announced that former Bedford resident Mariah Carey would take Lopez's place. Although there is no word yet as to who will be replacing Tyler, Nick Jonas and Pharrell Williams are rumored to be in talks to join the show.

In the Rolling Stone interview, Tyler addressed criticisms that he and Lopez were too easy on the contestants, explaining, “The show's about kids and what you do to nurture their talent. 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. That's more about that other guy. Not me."

But Tyler is ready to move on from reality television and focus on working Aerosmith’s fifteenth studio album, “Music From Another Dimension!” Tyler admitted in the interview that balancing his double life as judge and rock star was tough. “It was just hard work: seven-hour days and then I went and did the [Aerosmith] album for eight hours after that,” he said.

The new album will feature guest appearances from a variety of celebs, including country star and "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood,  who duetted with Tyler on a track called, “Beautiful,” something Tyler describes as a “country-western crossover ballad.” Julian Lennon, son of The Beatles' John Lennon, sings on the track “Love Three Times a Day.” And Johnny Depp (yes, the actor) contributed backup vocals to “Freedom Fighter.”

 "Music from Another Dimension!" is set for an early November release. 

Tags: Yonkers , Steven Tyler , American Idol , Aerosmith , Rolling stone , Johnny Depp , Julian Lennon , Carrie Underwood