Celebrity News

Steven Tyler dropped by manager Simon Fuller

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has been dropped by his manager Simon Fuller over disagreements that included his failed “American Idol” second-season deal, Page Six has exclusively learned.

Fuller, the “Idol” franchise creator who signed a management deal through his company XIX Entertainment with Tyler after he joined the show’s judging panel, has ditched the rocker after disputes with his lawyer Dina LaPolt over his business affairs. Tyler has now been signed by Red Light Management’s Bruce Flohr, who handles the Dave Matthews Band, Switchfoot and Parachute, and has guided the careers of Foo Fighters and the Stone Roses.

A source told us, “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. ”

In February, LaPolt got a big win in a lawsuit over the heated negotiations for Tyler’s ill-fated “Idol” deal. A Los Angeles judge dismissed a case brought by Kovac Media Group, Tyler’s former management company, which claimed LaPolt’s actions in June 2011 cost Tyler the “Idol” deal, worth up to $8 million.

Our source said, “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.”

LaPolt and reps for Fuller didn’t get back to us. A rep for Tyler 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.”