The guitarist says his decision to exit the Jared Leto-fronted band is 'painful,' but 'this is the best thing for me in my life and also for the band.'
- June 13, 2018
AceShowbiz - Guitarist Tomo Milicevic has quit "Thirty Seconds to Mars" after 15 years.
The rocker announced he was leaving the trio, which features brothers Jared and Shannon Leto, in a lengthy letter posted on Twitter on Monday night (June 11).
"There's really not an easy way to say it so I thought, just say it. I am no longer with Thirty Seconds to Mars," he wrote. "I don't really know how to explain in a note how I could have come to a decision like this. But please believe me when I say that this is the best thing for me in my life and also for the band."
"The years that I have been privileged enough to spend with all of you will live inside of my heart and mind as some of the most amazing memories I'll ever have. Even though this is incredibly painful because of my attachment to, and love for everyone involved, I know that this pain will be fleeting for myself, and anyone who's feeling that same because I know that it is the right thing."
Milicevic went on to praise the brothers, sharing how lucky he felt that they let him be a "small part of their dream".
— Uncle Tomo (@tomofromearth) June 11, 2018
At the start of March, only three dates into the European leg of their Monolith Tour, the band confirmed the 38-year-old would be taking a break due to personal matters.
In the letter, Milicevic apologised to fans that it took him so long to make an official announcement, and added, "I want you all to know how much I love everyone and how much I appreciate all of your well wishes while I was working up the courage to write these words to you all."
He concluded by urging fans not to be upset at his departure and assured them that his "spirit will never leave the family".
The Leto brothers have yet to comment publicly on the news.
