Who Should Replace Departing ‘American Idol’ Judges?

A day after Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler quit American Idol, Jennifer Lopez is following him out the exit door, leaving two open seats on the show’s judging panel with Randy Jackson.

Lopez hinted at her departure Thursday on The Today Show and confirmed the farewell on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show Friday (listen above starting at the 3:30 mark). In the interview she explained why she’s leaving:

“When I signed on to Idol I signed on to do it for one year, and I wound up doing two years because I just fell so in love with the show and everybody there,” she said, citing a need to spend more time with her children and other entertainment projects.

Lopez added that she’s open to coming back on the show as a guest.

“It just started feeling like it was a lot,” Lopez said. “Something had to give — something has to give.”

“Does that mean we’re co-workers or not?” Seacrest responded, trying to squeeze out confirmation.

“I was really dreading this phone call with you? … You’re going to make me cry. I honestly feel just the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do that I’ve put on hold because I love Idol so much,” she said.

The unpredictable Tyler, on the hand, bid adieu in a quirky written statement, which Fox Broadcasting posted in a Facebook note (he also channeled his inner Berks Dog, ending his announcement with “ERMAHGERD”:

“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. 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. The next few years are going to be dedicated to kicking some serious ass — the ultimate in auditory takeover…On Nov. 6, we are unleashing our new album, Music from Another Dimension on the Earth, Moon, Mars, and way beyond the stars…IDOL was over-the-top fun, and I loved every minute of it…Now it’s time to bring Rock Back. ERMAHGERD.”

Lopez and Tyler judged on seasons 10 and 11. Idol has had seven judges in its 11 seasons, including Jackson, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi.

SEE ALSO: TV’s Big Highlights on Social Media This Year | ‘American Idol’ Sets Social TV Records

Twitter users are all speculating on who will replace the duo. Here are a few of their suggestions:

Who do you think should replace Lopez and Tyler as judges? Tell us your picks in the comments below.

Thumbnail From Michael Becker/FOX

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