Jennifer Lopez to leave 'American Idol,' too

CALIFORNIA --- A teary-eyed Jennifer Lopez shared live on radio how painful and sad her exit at America's most successful prime time reality TV, American Idol, is. After having been a judge for two years, season ten and eleven, she says "The time has come".

Candid moment: Jennifer Lopez emotional during a contestant's performace

Jennifer Lopez made her announcement during the "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" last night, just a day after rocker Steven Tyler said he is leaving American Idol to be back in the studios and stages with his band, the Aerosmithes.

A successful team (l-r): Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, Randy Jeckson and host Ryan Seacrest.

The American singer, actress, dancer and businesswoman ("If you had my love" , "Jenny from the Block" and many other music hits) was troubled for weeks about her decision, sharing with Seacrest, who is the stage host of American Idol, and the listeners  that "It's been a long thought process. I really have been torn... but even last year, it was super tough to decide. Something has to give. That's where I am right now."

Lopez continued by saying, "You know, I was really dreading this phone call with you. I honestly feel that 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, "I have to come back to, like ... you have a lot of other responsibilities and things that you do. You have to pay attention to do that, too. I just feel like we had an amazing run."

Seacrest emphatized and responded to La Lopez with the words, "You've made up your mind. If you are leaving the show, I'm sad, but I understand you've got to do what's best for you and your family."

Lopez added, "It's really going to be hard to go. It's one of those special things."

There have been reports that Randy Jackson would step down too as a judge, and that Mariah Carey and Adam Lambert are in serious talks to join the new panel of judges.