Paula Abdul has apparently made it official: She's NOT coming back to American Idol for the 9th season. She just posted a series of comments on her Twitter page (@PaulaAbdul) alerting her fans of this breaking news:
Paula writes: "With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all..being a part of a show that I helped from day1 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. It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month. I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."
No word yet from Fox.
Kara DioGuardi, Simon Cowell (who has voiced his desire for Paula's return) and Randy Jackson are expected back when the show airs again in January. Host Ryan Seacrest signed a three-year $45 million deal recently. Paula's manager had been releasing statements for weeks that his client "likely would not return to American Idol." The quibble: A pay hike, of course. She wanted one, supposedly $20 million. Apparently, Fox balked. Last figure I heard was in the $12 million range. Still no bite.
The remaining judges start traveling to audition cities this month to evaluate the talent.
Idol without Paula? I've asked for this repeatedly based on her loopy behavior and lack of judging (and judgment) but now that it appears reality it will be an adjustment for viewers and me. But Idol will survive. Its main mission -- finding new talent -- won't change.
Change is good and I've long held that a series of rotating judges (with Simon as the sole remaining star judge) each season would have kept Idol fresh. That said, Kara is not a suitable "replacement." Still, here's hoping producers keep to three judges and avoid the mistake of having four judges as on season 8. This format slowed the show.
Though its ratings had declined, Idol was still far and away the most popular show on TV and, Paula or no, viewers will still return in droves in 2010 for the 9th round. Note: it wasn't the judges -- or even the addition of Kara -- that got the most attention in the spring. The hype and volume was loudest where it should be: centered on a contestant. Of course, I mean Adam Lambert who, more than any judge, made Idol exciting again and raised the bar for the kind of talent we should be demanding from this show.
Meantime, Phil Stacey, an American Idol sixth-season finalist who released one country album and a coming Inspirational recording post-Idol, writes a heartfelt message on his blog (posted on his Facebook page) about his feelings on Paula Abdul leaving the show that made her a household name again:
"Just found out that Paula Abdul has decided not to return to American Idol. As much as America will miss her, those I feel the most for are the future contestants of American Idol. Ms. Paula was a constant source of encouragement. She was the one voice on the judge panel that understood what it was like to pour your very soul into a performance, only to have it scrutinized before millions of people. She judged with a tender heart, and I for one really appreciated that! She saw star potential in everyone. Future contestants will certainly miss out. As busy of a schedule as she had, Ms. Paula took time every week to visit with us, bringing gifts from her jewelry line with messages imprinted on them that were meant to encourage us on during that crazy time. If there were children visiting the American Idol studio, she wanted to meet them, take pictures with them, and give them each a gift of their own. She's a very special kind of person. Thanks for 8 great seasons, Ms. Paula. We will miss you."
Syesha Mercado (who went from FIU to last season's highest placing female contestant on Idol) also shared her feelings on her MySpace page with a long letter. Read her item by clicking here.
Don't worry, Phil and Syesha. Paula will be fine. My guess is the '80s pop star, a gifted choreographer by trade, winds up on another reality type show: wanna bet she does Dancing With the Stars? Or So You Think You Can Dance next season.
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