Smallscreen News

Paula Abdul leaves American Idol for good

By April MacIntyre Aug 5, 2009, 14:37 GMT

Paula Abdul - "Very sadly, it does not appear that she\'s going to be back on \'Idol,\' " David Sonenberg, Abdul\'s manager, told The Los Angeles Times. © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Paula Abdul, allegedly upset over salary negotiations that saw the petite long-time judge receiving a pittance compared to Seacrest or Cowell, has Twittered her goodbyes.

FOX issued a statement: "While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best."

Michael K of DListed.com posted Paula's Twitter remarks:

"With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon. What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me. It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month."

According to TMZ, Paula earned around $2 to $3 million a year in salary, compared to the new $45 million dollar three-year deal Seacrest negotiated.

Idol's newest judge, writer/producer and newlywed Kara DioGuardi, was inked by show producers for at least another year.

Abdul was known as the nurturing and positive judge who softened the dismissive remarks delivered by Simon Cowell.  Her trademark was an incoherent yet well-meaning bolstering of each contestant's spirit, often times receiving flack from her fellow judges for her non-sensical statements.

Paula was often accused of being under the influence of pills or booze while working as judge. 

Abdul also had a stalker commit suicide on her street, prompting a war of words between herself and AI producers who she accused of allowing the crazed fan to threaten her.  Paula Goodspeed, 30, was found dead, an apparent suicide, in her car, which was parked a few doors down from Abdul's Los Angeles home. Reuters reported that prescription pills, along with CDs and pictures of Abdul, were found in the car.

Will Idol be the same, better or worse for you without Abdul?