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'American Idol' Judges Through the Years and Why They Left


'American Idol' has featured many different artists as judges since its 2002 debut — read more

"The janitorial closet they called my dressing room had long been disassembled, so no walk down the corridors with my personal effects in hand was necessary," she wrote in A Helluva High Note of her exit, adding that she started chain-smoking cigarettes to try and bond with Cowell. "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." American Idol is a staple in both the reality TV world and the music industry — but that hasn’t kept its judging table from becoming a revolving door of talent.

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