Why Paula Abdul Left American Idol
A New York Times report on why Paula Abdul left Idol confirms that it was indeed, about money, but she also felt dissed by the show’s producers. One of the reasons she asked for higher compensation was to make up for endorsement deals she lost due to her reputation as unreliable and a substance abuser–a reputation that Paula feels the show helped perpetuate.
A person close to Ms. Abdul said that part of her salary demands were to make up for the loss of income from at least one endorsement deal that went awry. That person said that Ms. Abdul had been negotiating for that endorsement contract, with a major fashion label, in 2006 and was close to a deal.
Also, people at Fox had mixed feelings about Paula and were willing to draw a line in the sand.
‘A lot of people at Fox had mixed feelings about Paula,’ said one person who was close to the negotiations. ‘Some of the people who were having to deal with her on a day-to-day basis didn’t want her back.’
Paula was not happy when Kara DioGuardi came on board as the 4th judge.
Ms. Abdul has stated publicly that the two women developed a good working relationship, but people close to her say she was surprised and dismayed at the hiring, believing that it was intended to send a message that she was replaceable.
Paula hired a new manager, David Sonenberg, in June, and his tactics rubbed Fox the wrong way:
People involved in the negotiations also said that Ms. Abdul’s contract talks were hurt when she changed managers at the end of June. Soon after the change Mr. Sonenberg, the new manager, told The Los Angeles Times that it appeared that Ms. Abdul would leave the show because she had not received a viable contract offer.
Fox executives said that they had communicated to Mr. Sonenberg the same offer that they had made to Ms. Abdul during the season. But they were vexed, they said, by the new manager’s aggressive remarks and his attempt to negotiate publicly. ‘It didn’t go over well at all here,’ one Fox executive said.
Fox offered Paula 5 Million a year back in the spring, and never wavered from their offer. They were clearly willing to let her go. There’s been some chatter about a last minute deal being made, but unless Fox suddenly has a change of heart about Paula’s expendability, that’s unlikely to happen.
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55 Responses to “Why Paula Abdul Left American Idol”
Actually I have a question about this. I’ve only watched two full seasons. Paula called DC to be in the finals, what top 5? After Billie Jean she did say, “I think you can beat these guys or this bunch.” Other than that she didn’t cont. to call it over and over like she did last year did she? How about other seasons?
I’m just wondering because I think her failure to “call” to final two last season is bigger than we think. Whether it affected her or how TPTB viewed her. I also think she may have thought she had more influence on something like this than she thought.
Just some things that have been going through my mind. No biggie.
The one thing I do know about this is from another poster on this board who said that she has boasted in interviews of successfully predicting the winner every year since the show began. She said she would write down the name and seal it in an envelope at the beginning of the season. I think it’s safe to say that her prediction this year (Gokey) didn’t pan out, despite her best efforts to make it happen, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that traumatic experience had some bearing on what has happened since.
Folks;
Paula did not “quit” AI, she got pushed. This is a Simon Fuller deal to take back control of AI. When Paula originally came on board, it was thought that you needed people who were independent of TPTB to judge AI. Since Simon Cowell repped Sony/BMG on that panel, Paula was the counter. However, after the last couple of years, Fuller has had enough and is taking control. How? Kara is the Talent Development guru over at 19E. She is Fuller’s girl. With Kara there, no need for Paula. Simon will be on for as long as Sony wants him on. Sony has nobody that could handle their interests on an AI judging panel. Randy is the sole independent voice, and the fact that he is black, works in his favor.
Don’t be surprised if Paula ends up as a judge on SYTYCD. She is FAR more qualified to judge that show than AI as she is a choreographer by trade. In fact, I TRULY believe that a deal had already been cut to move Paula over to SYTYCD. This was all manufactured drama to make everyone look good. However, it will always be noted that Paula QUIT AI.
stingray11214:
Kara is also writing for AI rejects, like Jason Castro.
The show is more interested in ad revenue than their “stars.”
Pauler was a cheerleader who did 80s choreography for music vids. That’s way different than being a trained dancer or being able to judge SYTYCD. She will be a guest at most.
TPTB may want her gone, but I just don’t see it exactly like you do. ;_
Did you happen to make all this up or just certain parts of it? :rolleyes_wp:
Kara is already vice-president of A&R at Warner Bros. Records. Simon Fuller is the co-creator of So You Think You Can Dance.