American Idol fans woke up to sad news this morning as Paula Abdul announced that she will not be returning to the show that she helped turn into a cultural success seven years ago.
“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…being a part of a show that I helped from day1 become an international phenomenon,” Abdul tweeted. ”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.”
”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,” said a statement from the Fox network and producer FremantleMedia.
Ryan Seacrest was also shocked to hear the news last night.
“About to go to sleep when I started seeing my blackberry blow up. I have read what u have read and I am shocked and saddened about paula,” he tweeted. ”Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons..I can’t imagine the panel without puala. She’s a star @ a great friend. Spoke to randy..hope to speak with paula privately overnight.”
It became worrisome that the “nice judge” might not make it back to the show after Kara DioGuardi was announced to be returning a week ago. Abdul’s rep claimed that a few weeks ago she was never even given a number from producers, but an Idol source said that Abdul was given a “fair offer,” that she turned down. Considering that Seacrest gets $15 million a season for the next three years, a fair offer would seemingly have to come close to that I’m assuming.
It’s definitely a loss for American Idol. Paula brought the crazy, but she was an integral part of the show for clear passion for the contestants. I know I’ll miss her. Kara is no Paula, but at least she’s got the crazy thing going for her. The news comes right before the judges get back to work this week on season 9.