Steven Tyler has been dropped by his manager.
The Aerosmith frontman had signed a deal with Simon Fuller when he joined ‘American Idol’ – the show and franchise he created – as a judge in 2010 but has now been dumped by the media mogul due to disputes with his lawyer Dina LaPolt over the rocker’s business affairs.
A source told the New York Post newspaper: "Simon dropped Steven because of all the drama. His lawyer Dina LaPolt was very protective, even overbearing, and wouldn’t allow the manager to do his job. She put a wedge in between Steven and Simon. It was exhausting. She also pushed Steven towards doing the Aerosmith record and tour instead of focusing on another season of ‘Idol.
"Simon Fuller and his team felt that it was impossible to guide Steven Tyler because all the drama around him was draining. The Aerosmith album and tour hasn’t done as well as expected. The band opened for Van Halen in Sydney recently, and Steven was furious."
In February, a Los Angeles judge dismissed a case brought by Steven’s former management, Kovac Media Group, who claimed Ms. LaPolt’s actions in June 2011 cost the ‘Crazy’ hitmaker his ‘American Idol’ contract.
Steven has now been signed by Red Light Management’s Bruce Flohr but his spokesperson insisted he was never dropped by his previous management.
His representative said: "Steven Tyler has signed with the premiere Red Light Management (Dave Matthews Band, Alicia Key s, Tim McGraw). He was not dropped by Simon Fuller … Dina LaPolt has other clients with Simon Fuller, so there’s also no truth in the information that there are issues between LaPolt and Fuller."
The 65-year-old singer confirmed he was quitting ‘American Idol’ in July 2012.