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Paula Abdul spooked before 'American Idol' begins

By April MacIntyre Dec 9, 2008, 1:56 GMT

Creepy...Paula Abdul - 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals - Shrine Auditorium - Los Angeles, CA, USA © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Paula Abdul was so creeped out by a mentally unstable fan who killed herself outside her home that she has not returned since the incident.

She told People magazine that she is deeply affected. "I've been staying in different homes and hotels, and I have security with me," she said. "It was very tragic and very upsetting to hear."

Paula Goodspeed, a fan who auditioned for American Idol's fifth season was found dead in her car on Paula's street.

"She had tried to do this before, and it was just heartbreaking ... It was in the middle of Hollywood week, and it happened while I was actually working at the Kodak Theatre, and it was devastating to hear."

"American Idol" producers knew about the tragedy but kept it from Paula Abdul.

"It wasn't fun," Abdul says.

Work is her savior, according to Abdul. "I always feel like if I can divert my brain to something else then I'll be okay. That's why I like to multitask."

Abdul says she will list her house for sale. "I am in the process of looking for another place to reside."