In one of her first interviews since announcing her exit from Fox’s mega-hit American Idol, Paula Abdul told TV Guide that the split wasn’t over money, as has been widely speculated. “I stand on principle where many people stand on money,” she says. “I believe in myself and you have to have your own self respect.” Abdul, who announced her split from Idol on Aug. 4, after serving as a judge for eight seasons, mentions in the interview that in her post-Idol career she’ll continue to watch the singing competition, but is moving on with her own ambitions. She has a two-episode guest arc on Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva, airing Sept. 13 and 20, and “I definitely want to do a talk show because it would be different,” she says. “It would be a lot of fun variety with a ton of unexpected stuff and tributes to everyday people getting their big chance.”
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Some damage control? Of course it was about money, pleaseeeee….
It could be about respect regarding money. She was getting pennies compared to Ryan who is like a peer. If you found out a peer was making 4x what you were making, wouldn’t seem like your company didn’t respect your work?
agreed….however, i don’t think the ew audience can grasp the subtlety in the difference.
I agree, Rachel. She’s rich enough now, and by leaving AI she’s giving up a large salary to do projects that will or likely will pay substantially less. I can’t say what I would have done in the same situation, but I certainly would have been very hurt and offended if my employers paid my coworkers more than me for the same job, and would have least have seriously considered leaving. If she left because they didn’t respect her enough to pay her what they pay the other judges, then I most definitely applaud that decision. If it was just her pitching a fit because of greed, then that’s different, but I’m inclined to believe Paula’s side of this.
Pardon me, that should have been “…and would at least have seriously considered leaving.”
Yeah, sosgemini, you’re right. Not many of us can grasp the subtlety or the complex workings of the great mind of Paula Abdul. Condescend much? Sheesh!
not at all luna, it’s just well…check out the level of discussion on roger ebert’s blog versus the comments on this site and well, you can’t really except the majority of those commenting here to grasp anything that is not black or white.
just pointing out the obvious.
Of course it was about money. She’s not fooling anyone.
How about this Paula – Shut up and go away and do your other shows – you are getting paid to do those other shows …. right ? ? ?
Nobody in Hollywood does anything except for money, fame, and ego. Period.
I bet a lot of shows would hire her as an Idol correspondent or special guest to weigh in on the weekly proceedings. Idol commentary is a virtual business by now.
That would be sad for her. Not only that, but she couldn’t give a lucid critique when she was on Idol. Why would anyone want her opinion now. But Buddy, you look beautiful. You are a star. A legend. Burrrrrrp.
Ryan got so much money because they are investing in future projects with him. He is a guy with a big future ahead of him. No offense to Paula but she doesn’t have a future that makes them want to be in contract with her for years and years to come.
Yeah her thinking she is worth as much as Seacrest is a joke. Seacrest is a complete professional they can count on.
She has caused them countless media image problems and on-air fiascos.
Seacrest is the host of the show, who keeps it running at probably has three times more screentime then Abdul. He has to keep the show on track and moving while she incoherently babbles about something.
She is basically a joke on the show anyway. And sadly deluded if she thinks she is more important to the show then Seascrest.
You can get a trained monkey to host Idol. Oops, I forgot. They’ve got Seacrest!
Isn’t that just like someone to say it wasn’t over money! I smell some BS here! If she was paid more she would feel more self respect, now that’s more like it!
It wasn’t about money but ego and pride. I get it but she has let other projects fall by the wayside for some unknown reason (or, they backed out of having her…?) She was supposed to be on Ugly Betty, and two different dance shows wanted to work with her. Now, Drop Dead Diva? That’s sad.
LOL, a talk show? My god, that would bomb.
Of course she didn’t leave over money. THEY DIDN’T WANT HER BACK!!! She even sounds drunk in her quotes.
A talk show? Good Lord…
…and then the way she decribes this talk show.
Straight up now tell me
Do you really want to watch me forever?
No No No!
Could it be that you cut and run?
Straight up now tell me
Do you think my thoughts were all that clever?
No No No!
Maybe now we can have some fun.
lol!
Hey! Since this post is about Paula, let’s celebrate with our fave Paula quotes. Mine is “You. Are. Brooke. White.” back in season 7.