American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has responded to the news that Paula Abdul will not be returning for a ninth season on FOX’s top-rated reality competition.
Last night, both Paula and FOX confirmed that the former judge would be departing from the show.
“About to go to sleep when I started seeing my blackberry blow up,” Seacrest wrote on his Twitter late Tuesday. “I have read what u have read and I am shocked and saddened about Paula.”
Ryan’s recent three year $45 million deal to continue hosting Idol is believed to have promoted Paula’s failed request for a raise.
“Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons..I can’t imagine the panel without puala. She’s a star @ a great friend,” Ryan continued in his Tweet. “Spoke to randy..hope to speak with paula privately overnight.”
Paula Abdul confirmed she is still in talks to return to American Idol for the show’s ninth season, but will only return if she can secure a “fair” deal.
Paula is reportedly locked in a bitter salary dispute with show producers just weeks after show host Ryan Seacrest inked a new contract worth $45 million over three years. Paula’s manager first revealed that there was a possibility the “Rush Rush” singer wouldn’t be back as a judge on the FOX show in an interview with The Los Angeles Times earlier this month.
“Hi everyone. I’ve been quiet as we are trying to work out details of how I can return to #Idol,” Paula posted on her Twitter page on Thursday. “Your support & encouragement means so much to me. I hope you understand I can only return to #Idol if the deal is fair.”
American Idol stars Ryan Seacrest and Paula Abdul paid tribute to one-time Idol hopeful Alexis Cohen in messages on their respective Twitter pages Monday. Cohen died early Saturday after she was struck in a hit-and-run accident in Seaside Heights, NJ.
Alexis Cohen, or “Glitter Girl” as she was affectionately called, auditioned for Idol in 2007 and 2008. She is perhaps best remembered for the Internet viral video of her tirade after being rejected by judges during the show’s seventh season. Read the rest of this entry »
Jennifer Lopez is denying reports that she’s in the running to replace judge Paula Abdul on American Idol. The “Forever Your Girl” singer still has yet to sign a contract with producers to return to the judge’s table for the upcoming ninth season of FOX’s ratings juggernaught.
A rep for the star — who turned 40 on Friday — tells PEOPLE: “The rumor of Jennifer Lopez throwing herself in the ring to take over for Paula Abdul is completely false. Jennifer loves Idol but just as a fan. She just wrapped the feature film The Back-Up Plan, due out January 2010, and will release an album then as well.”
Girls Aloud Cheryl Cole has reportedly turned down an $8 million offer to replace Paula Abdul as a judge on American Idol.
The girl bander — voted FHM’s “Sexiest Woman” earlier this year — became a TV star in Britain after replacing Sharon Osbourne on The X Factor in 2008.
Music mogul Simon Cowell reportedly lobbied for the 26-year-old to join him on television’s most popular talent show as Paula’s future on American Idol hangs in the balance. Last week, a manager for the “Forever Your Girl” star told The Los Angeles Times that it’s unlikely she will return for the show’s 2010 run. Read the rest of this entry »
Paula Abdul has taken to her Twitter account to dismiss reports that she’s signed a deal to return as a judge on the ninth season of American Idol. The unsigned judge wrote, “Hey guys, I have not made a deal with #IDOL. Don’t know how that rumor got started but it’s not true as I still haven’t heard from the producers.”
A “Keep Paula” Movement erupted on the micro-blogging website over the weekend, after a rep for the “Forever Your Girl” singer announced that the star was snubbed by Idol producers and called her return to the program “unlikely.”
Paula’s contract with the hit FOX series ends August 1. The former singer has starred on the show since 2002.
Paula Abdul has demanded $20 million from American Idol bosses to remain on the judging panel of the hit FOX singing competition, according to RadarOnline.com.
The 47 year old is in negotiations with TV executives to resume her place alongside Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi on the series for the 2010 season, but has reached an impasse with the series’ producers, who have reportedly countered Paula’s demands with an offer of $10 million.
A source close to Abdul claims that she is upset that Idol host Ryan Seacrest signed a deal worth $45 million, making him the highest paid TV presenter in history.
The “Straight Up” singer’s $5 million-a-year contract expires next month; last weekend, her manager told The Los Angeles Times, “It does not appear that she’s going to be back” — a statement seen by some as a negotiating tactic.
A movement to “Kepp Paula” on American Idol is sweeping through social networking websites like Twitter.com.
American Idol’s Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest hope co-starPaula Abdul will return to the television talent competition, despite a recent public statement from her manager declaring it “unlikely” that the quirky showbiz vet will take her place at the judge’s table when the show kicks off its ninth season on FOX next January. Read the rest of this entry »
A “Keep Paula” movement exploded on Twitter over the weekend, as reports surfaced suggesting the quirky star may not return for a ninth season on the judges panel of American Idol.
