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Paula Abdul Needs Help Walking Red Carpet

Vanessa Baker — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:56:51 +0000

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul needed three assistants to help her walk the red carpet at the American Music Awards, reports TMZ. The 47-year-old had trouble maneuvering in her gown, which featured an enormous train.

Judges Bench A Hot Spot on American Idol Season 9

Emma Renda — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:44:53 +0000

As American Idol gears up for a new series this fall, its roster of judges is expanding its horizons.

Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne will be the latest stars to sit alongside Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul’s replacement Kara DioGuardi during the last round of auditions in Los Angeles.

Throughout auditions, the show has welcome Victoria Beckham, Shania Twain, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Mary J. Blige and Kristen Chenoweth to have their say.

Abdul abandoned the show in August in a rather abrupt move that many speculated had to do with salary. But in an interview with the New York Daily News, Abdul said the decision was more about pursuing her career (whatever’s left of it.)

“I stand on principle where many people stand on money,” Abdul told TV Guide. “I’m a hard-working artist. I’ve lasted in this business for 23 years. And you can’t do that unless you are good at what you do.”

DioGuardi originally joined the show when Abdul was still sitting, in hopes of balancing out the battle of the sexes on the judge’s bench. Now with Abdul out of the picture, DioGuardi will take on Season 9 on her own but her resume certainly boasts chops that are up to the task.

A songwriter and co-owner of writer mentorship house Arthouse Entertainment, DioGuardi has penned songs for Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion and Carrie Underwood. According to AmericanIdol.com, she has released more than 264 songs on mainstream radios stations.

Idol has never had a hard time getting ratings, and this season will mark its ninth on the air. The guest judges are just one tactic the series has adopted to freshen up the program, as well as dozens of guest performances on the show from major music stars like last season’s Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Hudson, Quentin Tarantino, Lady GaGa and many others.

Season 9 won’t air until January 2010.

Mary J. Blige Guest Judge on American Idol

Vanessa Baker — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 01:29:41 +0000

Mary J. Blige will sit on the American Idol judges’ panel for auditions in Atlanta, Georgia, reports Perez Hilton.

Friday, regular judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi were joined by former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, who helped judge auditions in Boston.

“The judges and production team have been having a lot of fun with Victoria,” said a source for the show. “She’s had a great response so far, and has been really warm with the contestants.”

Season nine of the Fox reality show will premiere in January. Paula Abdul, who has judged alongside Cowell and Jackson since season one, will not be returning to the show.

Paula Abdul May Be Next to Dance with the Stars

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:29:27 +0000

President of ABC Entertainment Stephen McPherson said he would absolutely love to have Paula Abdul as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, reports Perez Hilton.

“We would love to have her on Dancing whether it’s as a contestant, or a participant, judge, etc.,” McPherson said of the former American Idol judge. “I was a little stunned by the decision,” he said about her recent departure from the Fox reality show where she worked for eight seasons. “I think she’s a huge talent. There’s a sensitivity and emotion in her that balances out Idol and we’d love to get a piece of that.”

Abdul has also been offered a spot as a guest judge on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance.

Season nine of American Idol, which will premiere in January, will return to the show’s three-judge format with Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all resuming their spots at the judges’ table. Ryan Seacrest will remain as host.

Paula Abdul Won’t Be Judging Season 9 Of A. I.

Ilan Mester — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:28:03 +0000

It’s official: Paula Abdul is leaving “American Idol”. The former “Idol” judge tweeted about leaving the popular TV show.

With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to ‘Idol,’” Abdul wrote. “I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon. What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. I do, without any doubt, have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.”

In light of her departure, Fox TV has released a statement. “Paula Abdul has been an important part of the ‘American Idol’ family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show,” read the statement. “While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.”

The show will return to its original three-judge format as Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi are set to return for season nine.

Abdul Threatens to Leave Idol

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:27:24 +0000

Paula Abdul is threatening to quit her job as a judge on American Idol, reports TMZ.

“Very sadly, it does not appear that she’s going to be back on Idol,” her manager, David Sonnenberg, told the L.A. Times.

Auditions for the show’s ninth season begin August 6, but Abdul has not yet heard from the show regarding her contract.

“I find it under these circumstances particularly unusual; I think unnecessarily hurtful,” continued Sonnenberg, who has managed Abdul since the end of June. “I find it kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful that they haven’t stepped up and said what they want to do.”

Last year, Abdul earned $2.5 million from the show. Host Ryan Seacrest recently signed a contract giving him $15 million per year for the next three years, while fellow judge Randy Jackson has signed on to the show until 2011. Simon Cowell’s contract expires next year, and he has reportedly scoffed at figured nearing $144 million.

In an attempt to step away from the Idol scene, Abdul did a reality show with Bravo in 2007 titled Hey Paula. The series only lasted seven episodes.

“She’s not a happy camper as a result of what’s going on,” said Sonnenberg. “She’s hurt. She’s angry. I think at this point we’re going to be considering everything, including some kind of a competition show. She has tremendous ideas for a whole variety of shows.”

Bruno Heading to Court

Vanessa Baker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:57:48 +0000

A man labelled a terrorist in Sacha Baron Cohen’s new movie Bruno says he would like to take the star to court after he was tricked into appearing in the movie, reports Perez Hilton. Ayman Abu Aita said Baron Cohen told him he was being interviewed for a documentary on the struggles facing the Palestinian cause and was never told the film was a joke.

“He said he is a German actor making documentaries watched by young people,” said Aita. ”He wanted to make a story to mobilize the young people to help us. I didn’t have any impression he would use my interview in a bad way.”

Although Aita was once a member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, he has since left his terrorist associations behind and now works as a board member of the Holy Land Trust.

The film also has audiences talking about a humorous stint featuring American Idol’s Paula Abdul.

Bruno has earned $30.6 million at the box office since its July 10 opening and has a rating of 6.2 out of 10 on Rotten Tomatoes.

Paula Abdul To Negotiate Contract For American Idol Season 9

Ilan Mester — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 16:50:45 +0000

Paula Abdul’s “American Idol “ contract may have expired last season, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be leaving the singing competition any time soon.

“I’ve been invited to stay the duration of the show, however long it lasts,” Abdul told the Associated Press. She continued by saying the invitation to come back on the show is subject to agreement.

As usual, it seems like one guy knew the chances of Abdul returning to “Idol” were great. Back in May, Simon Cowell told Ellen Degeneres, “Everyone’s going to be back. Absolutely.”

However, he didn’t seem too happy that adding a fourth judge would give him less time to speak. “One week, literally, we couldn’t talk, so 10 minutes before the show started, they said, ‘Oh, by the way, you can’t talk for half the show. It’s rather like saying in a singing competition to the singers, ‘Half of you can’t sing.’ It was just crazy.”

Terri Seymour Files Restraining Order

Ilan Mester — Sun, 31 May 2009 18:45:08 +0000

Terri Seymour, best known for being “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell’s ex and for being an “Extra” correspondent, has filed for a restraining order against Janice Thibodeaux.

According to E! Online, the presenter and reporter claims the woman is likely to strike again after being charged for attempting to choke her and for misdemeanor battery.

Seymour says she was “viciously assaulted” by the 33-year-old woman, in the document. She also added that Thibodeaux has since “sought publicity for her wrongful act and stated to the media that they were intentional and that she does not regret them.”

Seymour is asking Thibodeaux to stay 100 yards away from her place of work, home and car. As for her reason for attacking Seymour, Thibodeaux told Radar Online that she wanted to get back at Simon Cowell for pretending to choke fellow “Idol” judge Paula Abdul during the show.

No One’s Replacing Paula Abdul

Ilan Mester — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:39:27 +0000

Paula Abdul’s contract with “American Idol” may be up by the end of this season, but that doesn’t mean anyone will be replacing her, including “Idol’s” new judge Kara DioGuardi.

“I don’t think anyone [can],” Abdul said to “Nightline” in an interview scheduled to air Thursday on ABC. “First of all, Kara says, ‘I could never replace you.’ ”

According to Abdul, she didn’t have much of a say regarding the addition of a fourth judge. “I just got out of the hospital this past August. I had three days to pack and go on the road [for 'Idol' auditions]. I found out on the way to the airport,” she told “Nightlife.”

Abdul also admitted that “Idol” may not be in her future. “Whenever there is change, it’s not about replacing anybody, it’s about possibly moving on,” said Abdul.

But she did share her enthusiasm about being on “American Idol”. “I love the show, I do. I love what I do on the show, and I’m loving it more this season than ever. It’s taken me awhile to get comfortable in my own skin with the show”.