Steven Tyler auditioned for ‘American Idol’ in drag.
The Aerosmith frontman – who exited the show’s judging panel last year along with Jennifer Lopez – made a surprise return to the series on the other side of the judges’ desk, disguised as a woman who was auditioning on the episode which aired last night (31.01.13)
Steven, 64, had judges Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackson in hysterics as he posed in a blonde wig, a full face of make-up, a mini-skirt and fake breasts that honked when squeezed.
The ‘I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing’ singer told the judges his name was Pepper LeBeija, after the famous American drag queen who starred in the documentary ‘Paris is Burning’.
Despite his best attempts at concealing his identity, the judges realised they had a celebrity in the midst, prompting Mariah to quip, "Dude looks like a lady," the title of the Aerosmith song of the same name.
The husky-toned rocker whipped off his wig and joked that he hadn’t made it through his audition, saying: "No Hollywood for me."
Steven – who served as a judge on ‘Idol’ along with Randy, 56, and ‘On the Floor’ hitmaker Jennifer Lopez, 43, in 2011 and 2012 – decided to carry out the stunt because he wanted to wish the new judges, Mariah, 42, Keith, 45, and Nicki, 30, luck as they began filming auditions.
He said: "I just wanted to come by and say hello. I love you. Good luck with this year."