After storming out of American Idol in what equated to a very public huff, Paula Abdul is now unemployed. During last week's TV previews in Los Angeles, Fox execs said they were sad to see her go after a protracted contract dispute. Abdul also expressed her sadness in her initial tweet about her departure, but soon enough was talking about the "many wonderful offers" that have come her way since her announcement. (She's already filmed two guest spots for Lifetime's Drop Dead Diva and will reportedly drop in on Ugly Betty this fall.)
So dry off your hankies, America! Paula is going to be just fine. Just a few days after Fox's initial confirmation of her departure, journalists zeroed in on ABC Entertainment president Steve Macpherson, asking him if he'd bring Abdul into the Alphabet fold. "I think she's a huge talent," he said. "We'd love to get a piece of that.
So dry off your hankies, America! Paula is going to be just fine. Just a few days after Fox's initial confirmation of her departure, journalists zeroed in on ABC Entertainment president Steve Macpherson, asking him if he'd bring Abdul into the Alphabet fold. "I think she's a huge talent," he said. "We'd love to get a piece of that.
- 8/12/2009
- by Mickey O'Connor
- TVGuide - Breaking News
American Idol judge Paula Abdul made an awkward appearance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on Monday night, criticizing the talk show host for making fun of her. The Straight Up singer walked onto the show wearing a party hat and carrying a Martini glass and party horn. Abdul then announced to the audience, "I don't understand why everyone is so obsessed over the fact that I have a drinking problem. Don't think I don't watch your show. Last week you had Ryan Seacrest on and you did this really crazy Paula Abdul impression." She had appeared on the show the week before, where Leno imitated Abdul by using a slurred voice. Abdul pretended to be angry with the late night host as he apologized profusely, to which she replied, "Keep going Conan" making a reference to rival late night talk show host Conan O'Brien. The singer then offered up an explanation for her actions saying, "You do know everything I said is not true, obviously I'm kidding. That's how I deal with things when I hear crazy rumors that usually start with late night talk show hosts. It hurts my feelings though and it's not true and it's humiliating and it's unfair." Leno then asked Abdul about the allegations that she was attacked at a private party on April 2 in the Hollywood Hills. She explained, "It is something very serious and I'm really not at liberty to talk about the details. I can say I was shoved down to the ground and I actually was knocked out unconscious, which means I saw stars, which therefore means I didn't see Simon Cowell anywhere. But that's all I can talk about."...
- 4/12/2006
- WENN
Paula Abdul's job as a judge on hit TV contest American Idol is safe, after an independent counsel ruled there is no proof she had an affair with one of the show's contestants. While bosses at TV network Fox will keep Abdul in her role, they've vowed to implement an "enhanced non-fraternization policy" for when the Straight Up singer and her fellow judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson return to work to prevent future questionable incidents involving contestants. Abdul says in a statement: "I'm grateful this ordeal is over, and I'm so looking forward to getting back to the job I love. Once again, I thank my fans from throughout the world for their undying love and support." Bosses at Fox hired an independent counsel last month to investigate claims by former Idol contender Corey Clark that he had a sexual relationship with Abdul when he was a contestant in 2003, and that she helped him prepare for his performances on the show. Abdul dismissed the claims as lies, although she did admit to having telephone conversations with Clark.
- 8/16/2005
- WENN
Simon Cowell has leapt to the defense of his fellow American Idol judge Paula Abdul, branding the allegations against her nothing but a publicity stunt on the part of her accuser. Ousted contestant Corey Clark claims he enjoyed an affair with the Straight Up singer when he was competing on the show in 2003 - and Abdul often gave him advice on song choices and his image. And Cowell believes that Clark has unveiled the story to help sell records. The British music mogul says, "It was quite obvious that this was actually just a huge plug for his appalling new album... I mean it was just terrible. It wasn't great. I have to say, in defence of Paula, I've worked with her now four seasons. You would've heard rumours of this stuff. You know what it's like when you work on a show. It was all news to me and I think it was all news to (Paula), and I think it's just another controversy on American Idol. I think she's half hating (the scandal) and half loving it. We make a reality show, these things happen. I don't think anybody believed the guy. I don't believe a word he said and I think the audience is more intelligent than that."...
- 5/12/2005
- WENN
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