Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez empathizes with American Idol constestant
Just how did the introduction fo new host Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler changed how American Idol screen their auditioners? For starters, Jennifer Lopez said she would want to put contestants "through the wringer" but does not want to easily boot out auditioners who are great but falter because of their nervousness.
"I don't want to let anybody who's really great [not] go through because they're really nervous or whatever...I think we work with them a little more than you maybe you've seen in the past. We give them more of a chance, because we know what it's like to be out there," Lopez told reporters in a New Jersey press conference.
Lopez brings in years of experience as an international superstar having dabbled in films and in music. She hit her big break on-screen with Annaconda, and went on to become a best-selling singer and a successful career in the movies.
Aerosmith's front man Steven Tyler agreed with Lopez, saying that their experience as singers themselves are hugely influential to their job as judges in the popular talent search. Tyler said they know what it feels like to be criticized, having started by playing in clubs.
"Some of the kids are so young that I'm not sure if they can get how long it's taken me to be successful and how many clubs I had to play and how I was judged so wonderfull by the press," Tyler said.
"And how hard it was to take. But they all took [ours] well. A lot of tears. Kind of hard for me. But I'll get over it."
The American Idol conducted an audition in New Jersey today. Lopez and Tyler were joined by fellow judge Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest.