Randy Jackson has been silent on the announced departures of his fellow American Idol judges, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler, but today he released a statement:
“Steven and Jennifer are truly two of the most talented and consummate professionals I’ve worked with,” Jackson tells E! News exclusively in a statement. “I was friends with them before we hopped on this crazy journey together and I have no doubt our friendships will continue long after. I will love them for life.”
Ryan Seacrest released a statement yesterday after Steven Tyler announced that he’d be leaving Idol
“I still can’t believe I shared the same stage with Steven Tyler,” host Ryan Seacrest said in a statement. “He is a brilliant artist and a true legend of rock-and-roll, and it was a blast to have him on Idol these last two seasons. As one of his legions of fans, I can’t wait to see him on stage rockin’ out with Aerosmith this summer.”
And Jennifer Lopez weighed in on Steven’s departure before she laid her own bombshell this morning on Ryan’s radio show:
“I can’t even imagine anyone else there right now because I’ve just spent two years sitting next to him,” she said. “I love Steven, and we became close during that time. We were a great support for each other, on an adventure that neither one of us knew what it was going to be.”
Oddly, there hasn’t been much reaction from the Season 10 and 11 Idols.
From Season 10, Paul McDonald tweeted, “Just read the news-such an amazing crew! @IamStevenT @JLo & @YO_RANDYJACKSON I’m so grateful to have been a part…”
And Pia Toscano, “Will truly miss watching Steven Tyler on American Idol. It was a privilege & an honor to have the opportunity to sing b4 him #americanidol”
From Season 11, Jeremy Rosado tweeted, “Can’t believe @IamStevenT is leaving #IDOL What an Honor to be chosen by such a #Legend And even more an #AMAZING Person Love you! GB:) TY” and “To me @americanidol was even better with @jlo I gonna miss watching her on the show!”
Colton Dixon tweeted, “Sad to see @IamStevenT go. He truly was a great judge, and helped me out in many ways. Thanks for everything!”
