“Forever Your Girl” and Always A Lady. There’s no bad blood between former American Idol judge Paula Abdul and her replacement comedienne/daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

On Thursday, the former singing star released a statement congratulating Ellen on her new job as the fourth judge on television’s top-rated talent competition.

“‘American Idol’ is a fantastic show that offers an invaluable platform to young talent. Ellen DeGeneres is wildly funny and talented in her own right. I wish her and the show only the best of luck,” Paula says.

On Thursday morning, Ellen spoke with host Ryan Seacrest in an interview where she expressed her admiration for her predecessor. “I hope Paula is okay with it. I don’t want anybody to think I took Paula’s job away,” she told Seacrest. “I feel like she was gone and then everybody was looking for somebody else, then I stepped in.”

Ellen will join the Idol judges’ panel when the hit singing competition returns to FOX next January.