Jennifer Lopez: I'm Quitting Idol

Jennifer Lopez just announced ... she will NOT be returning to judge "American Idol" next season.

So THAT'S why she did the awkward, "will she won't she" dance with The Today Show on Thursday; Jennifer Lopez was saving her, "i'm leaving" announcement for American Idol host Ryan Seacrest and his radio show this morning. 

JLo called in to Seacrest saying,"I honestly feel like the time has come that I have to get back to doing the other things that I do."  She added, "We had an amazing run."  Lopez made the announcement a day after Steven Tyler announced he was also leaving. There is a strong buzz that Randy Jackson may not be coming back either, leaving Ryan Seacrest the last man standing on the show, which has lost a third of its ratings in the last year.