Paula Abdul | Celebrity Mound

Paula Abdul Is Back For X Factor

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May 092011

Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul are back together again, hoping to recapture their TV chemistry for a new Fox talent show.

The network announced Sunday that the two former “American Idol” judges have reunited to assess would-be singing stars on Cowell’s “The X Factor,” debuting this fall.

The Associated Press reported Saturday that Abdul had signed to be part of the panel, which taped its first judging session Sunday. Fox and the show’s producers sought maximum drama by keeping Abdul’s status under wraps until she appeared for the taping.

Glammed up in a shoulder-baring purple dress and purple stilettos, Abdul greeted Cowell with a hug outside the University of Southern California auditorium where contestants were set to audition.

Besides the longtime TV sparring partners, the judges include British pop star Cheryl Cole and Grammy-winning producer Antonio “L.A.” Reid.

“This show would never have been the same without Paula and I can’t believe I am saying this: I have missed her a lot, and I am thrilled she’s on the show,” Cowell said in a written statement.

“I am excited beyond words to be a part of `The X Factor,’” Abdul added. “I’m also delighted and grateful to be sitting next to Simon again … but you might want to check back with me in a week or two!”

The 48-year-old singer, dancer and choreographer reigned on “Idol” as the nice if sometimes dizzy-seeming judge who often clashed colorfully with Cowell in his role as resident bully. She left “Idol” in 2009, after eight seasons, in a contract dispute.

Abdul and Cowell, seated together at Sunday’s taping as they typically were on “Idol,” quickly slipped into their familiar, bickering ways. But Abdul also proved willing to stand up to Cowell, who’s now her boss as well as fellow judge: He is an executive producer of the Fox version of the hit British show he created.

Announcement of Abdul’s involvement in the new show was held up as negotiations continued until the eve of the first taping, according to a person familiar with the talks. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity Saturday because Fox and the show’s producers had not authorized public comment.

One obstacle was removed by CBS, which featured Abdul on “Live to Dance” earlier this year. She was released earlier this week by the network from any further obligations, a person at CBS said Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the network hadn’t authorized public comment on the matter.

“Live to Dance” was a talent competition series starring Abdul that premiered on CBS in January. It was a ratings flop.

Late Saturday, Fox confirmed that co-hosts of “The X Factor” will be Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger. Jones is a popular TV host in Britain. Scherzinger is a former member of the girl group the Pussycat Dolls who has appeared on the British version of “The X Factor.”

The competition is open to solo singers and vocal groups age 12 and up. The winner will get a $5 million record contract.

Paula Abdul Visits “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” Today

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Jan 112011

Paula Abdul makes an appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” airing Tuesday, January 11th. The “Live To Dance” judge talks about her relationship with Simon Cowell and how she felt watching Ellen on “American Idol.”

On Paula’s relationship with Simon Cowell
Ellen: The two of you have a very, would you say tumultuous relationship? It’s kind of love/hate.
Paula: Very tumultuous. Definitely love/hate and actually when we’re on the hating side, I will cross the street and walk on the other side. I avoid him like the plague.
Ellen: But you had to sit next to him all that time so you can’t cross the street.
Paula: You now what, I gave him the cold shoulder at times and he’d be laughing hysterically and I’d be so mad at him. And the more I got mad at him, the more I was feeding into his {poke, poke}. He’s an acquired taste. He’s like fungus in the sense that he sticks around for a long time and then finally you surrender to it.
Ellen: You surrendered to fungus?
Paula: Pause. Yeah.
Ellen: I know what you’re saying though because I ended up really liking him though. I didn’t know what to expect.

On watching Ellen on AMERICAN IDOL…
Ellen: You left the show and then they asked me to…And I kept trying to explain to people, “I didn’t take her job. She was gone.” Was it weird for you to watch the show and see me there? Did you watch?
Paula: I can watch the show objectively and I can watch the show as a fan as I normally do. I can watch the show and say, “Wow.” I thought you did a good job. I thought you handled yourself with poise and elegance. You handled yourself the right way that is authentic to who you are.
Ellen: It was hard for me. I’m sure you felt the same. It’s really hard to tell somebody, no matter what you really feel inside, in front of America, “That’s not good.”

Photo Credit: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.

Paula Abdul visits “Late Show With David Letterman”

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Jan 032011

Paula Abdul Says American Idol Will Survive Losing Simon Cowell

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Jun 142010

Paula Abdul is optimistic that “American Idol” will survive after the departure of Simon Cowell.

“I don’t see an end to Idol, I see that there will be many changes,” said Abdul. “I tell people don’t use the word ‘replacement’ because you can’t replace Simon.”

The former judge of the popular reality television singing competition was at the Tony Awards Sunday night where she presented the award for best Choreography.

Abdul, who left the show in 2009, says she’s remained in contact with Cowell, and that, “He’s over in the U.K. doing great.”

Cowell left American Idol after this last season to host “X-Factor.” Meanwhile, Abdul’s new show “Got to Dance” will also air next season.

Simon Cowell is leaving the judge’s chair and his old foil Paula Abdul is coming back

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May 242010

CBS said Monday that Abdul will be a judge on “Got to Dance,” a competition expected to make it on the air sometime next season. She’ll also be an executive producer for the series, which is based on a successful competition that airs in Britain.

Cowell is leaving “American Idol” after this season, concentrating on another show he’ll import from England. He had a love-hate relationship with Abdul, who left Fox’s top-rated game before the current season when she couldn’t reach a deal on a new contract. She’s been fielding other offers since then.

There’s no immediate word on when “Got to Dance,” which will feature various forms of dancing, will go on the air.

Paula Abdul’s Million Dollar Deal

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Jan 272010

Paula Abdul has been offered a $1 million deal to appear on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ which will then allow her to be involved with the US version of ‘The X Factor’.

The 47-year-old singer and choreographer has reportedly been offered the huge sum as a Development Deal by network ABC.

If she agrees to be part of the ballroom show, they will then also allow her to become a judge on the US version of ‘The X Factor’.

The former ‘American Idol’ judge – who controversially left the show’s panel last year after seven series – is said to have met with media mogul Simon Cowell about joining his stateside version of reality show ‘The X Factor’, which is a direct rival to her previous program.

Simon was also a judge on ‘American Idol’ but announced earlier this year he is leaving to start his new project.

It is not yet clear whether Paula will compete on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ or appear in another capacity, such as a judge, but ABC have reportedly been trying to get the 80s idol on board for a number of years.

A source close to Paula told website : “She’s been wanting to make her mark on a network long term.

“She’s had reality shows and such, but she hasn’t had one place to develop the Paula brand. If ABC were to give her that chance, she’d probably do it, even if being on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ was the trade-off.”

Paula has until March 22, when ‘Dancing With The Stars’ begins, to make up her mind.

Suddenly Skinny: Paula Abdul Opens Up About Her Post-’Idol’ Weight Loss

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Nov 242009

Paula Abdul has always been pretty petite, but it seems the former “American Idol” judge has popped plenty of pounds since bowing out of the hit show in August.

The pop princess showed off a super, super slim body in a form-fitting long black dress that she could barely move in at the American Music Awards on Sunday, recruiting an entourage of six to help hold her trail and scurry around the show.

But Abdul insisted that her sudden weight loss was all in good health with no mention of post-’Idol’ stress and trauma.

“First and foremost I’ve had the ability to have time to have a schedule that allows me to take care of myself and dance and workout,” Abdul explained backstage. “It’s been great, but now I’m back to work.”

On the note of work, the 47-year-old remained pretty tight-lipped on her upcoming projects (apparently she gets to “wear a lot of hats” and be creative again), although she made it clear she has very much distanced herself from the musical franchise that made her a reality TV sensation.

“Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Adam Lambert… I feel like a proud… a proud relative. I’m not going to do the mommy factor,” Abdul added. “It’s very exciting, the show really has allowed bonafide superstars to emerge.”

And given the last few months of “Idol” controversy, it comes as no surprise that Abdul is looking for a little quiet time this holiday season.

“I’m going to go away and throw the phone away,” she said.

(source)

Abdul to host ‘VH1 Divas’ Sept. 17 concert special

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Aug 262009

Paula Abdul will see familiar faces when she hosts the “VH1 Divas” concert – former “American Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks are among the singers.

The special, which also includes Adele, Leona Lewis and Miley Cyrus, will air live on Sept. 17.

Abdul has been filling in her dance card with work since Twittering her decision to quit as an “American Idol” judge. Besides the VH1 concert, she’s filmed an appearance on Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva.”

Producer-judge Nigel Lythgoe of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” expressed interest in an Abdul cameo on the show, and ABC programming chief Stephen McPherson said he’s been in touch with her.

But Abdul has yet to announce a steady job to replace the hit singing contest, which she left amid contract negotiations.

Paula Abdul Won’t Return To American Idol After All

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Aug 202009

It’s final. Paula Abdul, who quit “American Idol” a couple of weeks ago but then negotiated to try to get back on, won’t be appearing as a judge on the top-rated show. She tweeted on Tuesday night, “with sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to re turn.” Producers often had trouble wrangling Abdul for the auditions the show holds around the country and wanted to offer her a smaller role during the finals in Los Angeles, but a source said Abdul didn’t go for the arrangement. “She was a pain in the butt to deal with in terms of getting her to show up to different cities on time,” an insider said. “That was a hang-up. And they tried offering less money to just have her appear for the live finals in LA, but negotiations broke down.” Abdul could not be reached. “Idol” produc ers said in a statement they were “saddened that she has decided not to return.”

(source)