American Idol
Gossip (Page 2)

When Kara DioGuardi was hired as a fourth judge last season on American Idol, critics believed it was a maneuver meant to prepare the show for Paula Abdul's departure.

That departure took place this week, but DioGuardi is in shock over it.

"I can't get over it. I'm completely shocked," she said on Ryan Seacrest's radio show today. "It's such a loss for the show, such a loss for the contestants. She's definitely the heart of the panel."

What, precisely, will Kara miss about her friend?

"The kind of heart she treated the contestants with she treated me with last year," she said. "She was so kind to me and made me feel immediately like part of the panel."

DioGuardi also made it clear that her addition to American Idol had nothing to do with Abdul's future.

"The way I'm understanding it is that it was her choice to leave. I never was here to replace her. It would be impossible to replace Paula Abdul. She's an incredible talent. She is somebody who helped make the show as big as it is. How could you ever replace that?"

Well, Victoria Beckham and Katy Perry will try. Each has been hired as a guest judge on season nine.

As rumors continue to circulate that Paula Abdul and American Idol may not be officially divorced just yet (or if they are, that a reconciliation is still on the table), new reports say that for $10 million a year, she'll still come back.

Well-connected American Idol sources say they haven't closed the door on her Season 9 return, even though they have not communicated with Abdul since her farewell Tweet earlier this week, and auditions start today, sans Paula.

Reports say Paula was not happy with the offer American Idol made to her but was willing to sign - just days before her supposedly deal-breaking Tweet of heart.

She felt "disrespected" by executives who had offered Simon Cowell and Ryan Seacrest a lot more than they offered her. That "disrespectful offer," TMZ says, was in the neighborhood of $4 million a year. Paula would re-up for $10 million.

So even if this isn't a publicity stunt, it does appear there's wiggle room for Paula to return at the right price. Or is there? Other reports tell a conflicting story ...

Here's where it gets fishy, though. An EW source says Abdul was offered a 30 percent raise, which she declined, that would have amounted to over $10 million.

That source says she was angling for $20 million.

“Everyone thinks she’s off her rocker to pass up money like that,” says one connected reality show agent to EW. “She’ll never get even $5-10 million on a start-up show. It’s never going happen. She may have overplayed her hand.”

Addressing rumors of an Abdul move to Idol's "sister" show, a Fox insider says it would be a boon to So You Think You Can Dance (which just crowned Jeanine Mason, 18, its winner last night), but there’s “no way” she'd earn nearly as much.

That’s why many Hollywood observers think she will swallow her pride and go back to the show that (re)made her a star. Even for a paltry $5-10 million.

Despite Paula Abdul's farewell Tweet and Fox wishing her happy trails, the latest American Idol conspiracy theory suggests she's not going anywhere.

Here are a few bits of evidence (albeit circumstantial) that make us wonder if the reality show and the wacky, but entertaining judge are really parting ways:

• Within an hour of Abdul's bombshell, celebrity gossip maven Bonnie Fuller, late of HollywoodLife.com, tweeted that "Abdul has already signed her new deal [with American Idol]. The whole sob story was a pure publicity stunt."
• Asked to comment if there was no way Abdul wouldn't be back on American Idol come the winter and the launch of the new season, Fox reps didn't respond.
• On his radio show this morning, Ryan Seacrest said Abdul's departure was real, "as far as I know." Randy Jackson, meanwhile, said "It looks to be true."

• Asked to comment if it was possible for a star and network to cook up a scheme, entertainment attorney John J. Tormey III said, "Anything's possible."
• Unnamed "television industry executives" told the New York Times they believe "Ms. Abdul's combative stance is simply a negotiating tactic." Of course, it could well be a one-sided tactic, if she really wants $20 million a year.
• Tormey didn't think it was a reach to suggest Paul Abdul would appear to walk away from a deal in order to sweeten it. "In television," the lawyer said, "it's not uncommon for talent to take a hiatus in the event of negotiations."

So? What do you think? While it sounds obvious, the only way we'll know is with the passage of time ... or the instant American Idol get a new judge (today's rumored replacement is Victoria Beckham), or Paula Abdul gets a new gig.

Until then, we say let the conspiracy theories pile up!

Would you miss Paula on American Idol?

With Paula Abdul officially off American Idol, questions are swirling around the show.

Will she be replaced as a judge? If so, by whom?

It is with great trepidation that we report the Fox series is considering Victoria Beckham for the role, as Britain's Sky News states Posh Spice will make a “one-off appearance” as a guest judge next season.

Supposedly, the large-breasted former Spice Girl has no interest in making this a permanent job because she wants to focus on her fashion line. But London's The Daily Mirror says the offer is out there:

“Victoria is hugely flattered as this is one of the highest profile gigs in America... Network bosses would love to give her the job full-time and it looks like it’s there for her if she wants it."

As for Abdul, where will she head next? So You Think You Can Dance producer Nigel Lythgoe isn't shy about wooing the wacky judge for his show:

"With Paula's background as a dancer, choreographer and reality judge now, I don't know any one more qualified than Paula Abdul," he told The Los Angeles Times.

But back to Beckham. Is this really a good idea? Didn't American Idol see what her husband did to soccer in the United States?

Do you wanna see Victoria Beckham as a judge next season?

It was a union that seemed doom to fail from its whacky, possibly drug-induced beginning.

Still, the relationship between Paula Abdul and American Idol lasted for eight successful seasons. Where did it all go wrong? Why won't she be returning to the show next season?

Sources told The New York Times that Abdul earned $2 million last year. For season nine, she wanted a raise... of 500%!

After the judge asked for $20 million per year, producers countered with a multi-year deal worth more than $10 million. Feeling slighted by the monster contract Ryan Seacrest signed last month, along with the addition of Kara DioGuardi, Paula walked away.

On his radio show today, Seacrest said:

"She has her reasons for doing it, and if she didn't feel like she was getting what she needed, then I understand that."

Do you? Will you miss Abdul on American Idol?

American Idol just got a lot saner, and a lot less entertaining.

Following weeks of rumors about her departure and public contract negotiating, Paula Abdul has confirmed her exit from the top-rated show on television.

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol," Abdul wrote on her Twitter page last night. "I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become 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. I do, without any doubt, have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."

The show is now left with a trio of judges for season nine: Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi, who signed a new deal last week.

In response to Abdul's farewell, Fox released the following statement:

"Paula Abdul has been an important part of the American Idol family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best."

Will you miss Paula Abdul on American Idol?

Fans are split on whether or not Kara DioGuardi's return to American Idol is a good thing.

But show executives are reacting to the news like the judge is the second coming of Simon Cowell. Here's what Fox president of alternative programming, Mike Darnell, said of DioGuardi:

“Kara’s spitfire personality and sharp musical sensibility infused American Idol with a new energy last year. She clearly has a keen eye for talent - spotting Adam Lambert’s superstar quality early on last season - and her performance on the season 8 finale was one of the most memorable in recent Idol history.”

Darnell forgot to mention that Kara has to lighten the heck up. She isn't actually God's gift to music.

Said American Idol producer Simon Fuller:

"We are so happy to welcome back Kara for her second season with Idol. She is a breath of fresh air and her passion for music and her understanding of talent is invaluable. This show is all about discovering new talent, and Kara’s championing of Adam Lambert is proof positive of her great instinct.”

Earlier this summer, DioGuardi got married to Mike McCuddy.

A former American Idol contestant clams the show is rigged.

We cannot confirm or deny this accusation, but we can report the following series-related news:

Kara DioGuardi is coming back to the judges' table.

Following weeks of rumors and questions about her status, a source told E! News that DioGuardi is on board for season nine.

"Her deal is done. There are no ifs, ands or buts," the insider said. "Done. She will be back."

Does the return of DioGuardi make you happy or sad?

Perhaps a look back at her most memorable, bare-skinned moment on American Idol last season will sway your opinion in one direction or the other...

Ju'Not Joyner made it to the final 36 contestants on season eight of American Idol.

This gives the aspiring singer a unique perspective into the country's top-rated show, one he used to either exploit for personal gain this week; or speak the truth about how the competition is rigged by producers.

In an online chat with fellow semifinalists such as Felicia Barton and Kendall Beard, Joyner went off on the series.

He declared "it's a fixed thing if I ever saw one," and made the following accusations:

• American Idol producers labeled him a "troublemaker" because he questioned the show's contract (which he referred to as a "slavetract");
• He was cut from the show due to his concerns over this contract;
• The show makes contestants use the same lawyer;
• Producers had it out for him after he refused to let them highlight his background on air: "They wanted me to put that out to the world and expose my personal business for ratings. I wouldn't do it," he said.

Most damning of all, Joyner says the results of American Idol are fixed. He said that Kris Allen is a talented musician, but:

"The producers know who they want and they slant it to reflect that. They fix it in a way that makes you surprised but it's still manipulated. Think about it...ADAM, ADAM, ADAM, then...Kris....SURPRISE SMITHCHES!!!!"

In conclusion, Joyner scoffs at the notion that Idol is a regular talent show, writing in the chat:

Continue Reading...

Alexis Cohen, who was ridiculed by Simon Cowell and termed the Green Goblin during auditions for American Idol, was killed on the New Jersey shore Saturday.

According to the The Asbury Park Press, Alexis Cohen, 25, was apparently struck and killed by a car in what authorities are calling an apparent homicide.

Deputy Chief Michael Mohel of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office reports that an autopsy revealed that the Allentown, Pa., passed away after suffering severe chest, abdominal and closed head injuries as a result of the collision.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into Alexis Cohen's death, asking anyone with information on the hit and run to speak up.

Alexis Cohen provided one of American Idol's most colorful tryouts.

Cohen rose to reality stardom after her 2007 American Idol audition resulted in a showdown with Cowell, who likened her to the Spider-Man character.

Alexis responded with a bird-flipping rant, in which she claimed to "march to the beat of a different drummer" while vowing to "leave with [her] dignity."

Resilient, she returned to audition in 2008. Again, she was shown the door.

Check out some of Alexis Cohen's greatest auditioning moments ...