Paula Abdul Blames Idol Producers for Stalker
Idol Judge Rocks Fox Network with Sensational Allegations
Dec 10, 2008
American Idol judge, Paula Adbul has dropped a bombshell on the show’s producers just weeks after Goodspeed's suicide, claiming the producers knowingly attempted to select emotionally unbalanced contestants for the show to increase ratings.
The Stalker: Paula Goodspeed
Goodspeed had made no secret of her adoration for Abdul, auditioning three times in an effort to become closer to the American Idol host. Goodspeed even described how, as a child, she would draw larger-than-life portraits of the 80’s pop icon.
The sensational allegations have since gained momentum after Abdul talked candidly with American journalist, Barbara Walters on Walters’ Sirius satellite radio show.
The Allegations: Paula Abdul Blames Idol Producers
In the interview Abdul claimed that Idol producers had selected Goodspeed to audition, despite being aware she had been stalking Abdul for 17 years. Abdul believes it was a concerted effort devised with the intention “to cause me stress. This was something that would make good television.”
Abdul also said that she had previously voiced concerns about Goodspeed to Idol producers, telling them that she was being stalked by the contender. Says Abdul, "She came to the audition. I said, 'This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in.' I was shaking".
Abdul received several disturbing letters from Goodspeed, one of which made reference to Goodspeed's eventual suicide. In the letter, Goodspeed wrote; "the only way I will serve her purpose is when I'm up in heaven being her guardian angel."
Adbul went on further to say that she believed Goodspeed was actively encouraged to stalk and intimidate Abdul by Idol producers saying, "Fox Broadcasting literally went to my home and gave my address away and showed my home and how easy it was to break in."
So upset by the strange and tragic turn of events, Abdul has not slept in her home since the suicide, and the mansion is now up for sale.
Rumours and Innuendo
But Abdul herself is no stranger to controversy, sparking plenty of rumours and allegations relating to drug and alcohol addiction whilst under contract on the show, appearing intoxicated and confused during several episodes.
In April 2008, she shocked everyone and created suspicion that the competition was fixed, after her confused gaffe concerning contestant Jason Castro.
On the episode, Abdul launched into a critique on Jason’s performance saying, "Oh gosh—we've never had to write these things down, uh, fast enough," she said. "Jason, the first song, I loved hearing your lower register, which we never really hear." But things just got weirder as Abdul continued, "Um, the second song, I felt like your usual charm, it was missing for me. It kind of left me a little empty." Oblivious to the audiences polite laughing, Paula seemed totally unaware that in fact, each contestant had sang only one song, and continued, "The two songs made me feel like you're not fighting hard enough to get into the top four."
Executive producer, Nigel Lythgoe was seen desperately gesticulating to Abdul with one finger, mouthing the words: “One song, one song, They’ve only sang ONE SONG!”
Already on shaky ground, it remains to be seen whether the relationship between Fox and Abdul can weather this latest storm. For now, it seems the jury's still out on Abdul's capacity to judge the Idol contestants, and its' producers.
