(CNN) — During “American Idol” on Thursday, the judges panel was treated to a skirted surprise.
As Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj weeded through the contestants in Oklahoma, in walked one “Pepper LaBeija,” there to spice things up a bit.
In actuality, of course, it was former “Idol” judge Steven Tyler. He was committed to his appearance as Pepper, arriving in a wig, lipstick, heels and a full bosom.
Urban was the sole member of the panel to immediately fall into a fit of laughter, while Jackson channeled his inner Liz Lemon and exclaimed, “what the what?!” Carey and Minaj, meanwhile, bore polite, if not a little confused, smiles.
After Tyler told a few jokes in a noticeably strained voice, Minaj called him out. “Dude look like a lady,” Carey quipped.
Sadly, though the Aerosmith frontman said he tried hard, he didn’t make it through to Hollywood week. Nice that he paid homage though to one of the most beloved stars of the 1990 documentary “Paris is Burning.”
