Jennifer Lopez isn't just saying publicly she isn't sure if she wants to return to "American Idol," she's saying it privately too ... because Steven Tyler asked her the same question and got the same answer.

We bumped into Tyler yesterday in Malibu, and in between posing for pics with a fan, he told our photog he got a big "I don't know" when he asked JLo about her plans for next season. 

And if JLo should go, Tyler didn't offer up any specific suggestions for who should take her spot ... but he did have one general qualification he feels anyone who sits in the judge's chair should meet.

"American Idol" hopeful Elise Testone gave judge Steven Tyler the gift of a feather earring on the show this week -- but the real gift was all the publicity she gave the jewelry designer who made it. 

Testone gave the Aerosmith singer a feather earring made by Sarah Poe, a designer from her home state of South Carolina. Sarah and Elise are friends and customers had always thought Tyler would love her stuff, given his penchant for feathered accessories, so Sarah gave one to Elise to pass on.

Ever since the show aired, Poe tells TMZ her phone lines, Facebook page and email have all been blowing up with business. All the pieces are handmade and one-of-a-kind and range between $65-$145, with Tyler's piece costing around $125.

A small price to pay for all that publicity.

Rockin' a J.Lo hat and shades, "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler celebrated his 64th birthday by flashing some blue nail polish painted mangled toes in Hawaii on Monday.

Getting older can be so pedi.

Steven Tyler has been rock and rollin' for over 40 years.

Here's the 28-year-old Aerosmith lead singer back in 1976 (left) -- and 36 years later, the 63-year-old in L.A. on Thursday (right).

American idol, indeed.

The midriff and booty baring girl who got booted from "American Idol" is pissed at Steven Tyler ... because she claims he approved of her skimpy outfit before her audition ... and even told her she "already won the damn thing!"

Jennifer Diley was dismissed Sunday night after attempting two songs -- "With You" by Jessica Simpson and "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Jennifer tells us she was thrown off because she hadn't rehearsed either song -- and was forced by producers to pick from a list of "flirty" songs. 

Jennifer is mostly ticked at Steven though. She says he loved her barely-there tube top and booty shorts 10 minutes before she sang -- but then sat silently as she was ridiculed for it. 



FOX had no comment about Jennifer's song list claim. As for Steven -- his manager Eric Sherman says, "You are telling me some provocatively dressed woman is claiming Steven Tyler flirted with her? I am shocked. Next thing you will tell me is Harvey Levin isn't 6' 2"."

"American Idol" judge Steven Tyler is finding himself on the other end of the criticism this afternoon ... he's being mercilessly attacked for his rendition of the National Anthem today. 

Tyler, in a glittery New England Patriots scarf, sung "The Star Spangled Banner" before today's Raven/Patriots AFC Championship game. 

Popular sports site Bleacher Report posted the video under the headline, "Watch Steven Tyler Butcher the National Anthem." Jason Whitlock, columnist for FOXsports.com, tweeted, "Steven Tyler far more obscene than Janet Jackson's t*tty."

To us, he sounded exactly like you'd expect Steven Tyler to. But we ask you ...

Steven Tyler's family better learn to love his fiancée -- because the "American Idol" judge told our photog yesterday at LAX the wedding is coming sooner rather than later. 

As TMZ first reported, Tyler's fam has not been too happy about the engagement ... since they only found out AFTER the fact.

But as you'll see in the video, our photog has a simple solution to bring the whole family together.

Magic conch shells, healing tea leaves ... Steven Tyler and his new fiancee spared no supernatural expense when they blessed their home last week -- and TMZ has learned all the details behind the spiritual experience.

The woman wearing the leaf hat -- or Ley Po'o in Hawaiian -- is Reverand Alalani Hill ... the lead spiritual Kahuna in Maui, who specializes in all sorts of Hawaiian blessings.

Hill tells TMZ, Steven and his fiancee Erin Brady reached out to her recently after buying their house in Hawaii -- and she accepted their invitation, blessing their new home as well as their blossoming relationship.

But it wasn't just a simple blessing -- an elaborate ceremony was involved in the spiritual cleansing process. According to Hill, Steven had to blow on a conch shell (below) to call to the surrounding mountains, ocean, land, and heavens to protect him and his fiancee ... and their new home. 
 

Steven and Erin also had to wear tea leaves and a kukui (indigenous nuts) to represent light and a new beginning, and sing songs to bless the house.

Alalani tells us, many whales and turtles emerged from the oceans to bless Steven and Erin -- adding, “This was a magical experience!”

A newly engaged Steven Tyler exercised his right to bare chest yesterday in Maui -- celebrating the New Year with a topless Speedo-clad snorkeling excursion ... not far from his new fiancee.

Steven and his lady Erin Brady have been spending a lot of time in Maui recently -- and as TMZ first reported ... even hired a local spiritual leader to come bless their new Hawaiian home.

TMZ broke the story ... Steven and Erin got engaged on the DL last month -- and Steven's family was pissed they got left out of the loop.

The official word has finally come from Steven Tyler's famous giant lips -- even though we told you this last week  ... he's engaged!

The giant rock girlfriend Erin Brady has been sporting lately is indeed an engagement ring -- and a worn-down rep for the "American Idol" judge confirms our story of 12/27 ... Tyler did indeed pop the question. 

The whole situation has not sat well with Tyler's family. Sources close to Tyler have told us they are peeved they only got wind on the engagement AFTER he proposed. 

The couple has been together since 2006.

Unless your New Year's Eve party featured Steven Tyler and Alice Cooper on the same stage performing the classic song "Come Together" ... you were not at the coolest NYE around. 

Tyler and Cooper performed at Mala Restaurant in Wailea, Hawaii ... and Cooper can be seen reading the lyrics to keep up with Tyler, who covered the classic Beatles track with Aerosmith back in 1978. Watch closely for a Weird Al cameo as well.

Tyler also performed "Sweet Emotion" and "Walk This Way."

What a way to ring in 2012.