Suicide Idol's Brother, Friends Rip Paula Abdul

The brother of the Paula Abdul-obsessed "American Idol" reject who OD'd outside the star's LA home is blaming Abdul for crushing his sister's dreams and sending her on a downward spiral.

Paula Goodspeed, 30, had withered away to just 78 pounds at the sad end of her life, brought on by eating disorders and a broken Hollywood heart, her brother, Charles McIntyre, told The Post yesterday.

Although the grieving sibling disputed tentative police reports that Goodspeed committed suicide in her car, McIntyre said his sister's "Idol" tryout in 2005 crushed her dreams of stardom.

Goodspeed auditioned for Season 5 of the hit Fox reality show, and her train-wreck performance of "Proud Mary" brought jeers and cutting comments from the three "Idol" judges.

"[Abdul] didn't speak up for her. She let everyone take her down," McIntyre told The Post from his home in Maine.

"She [Abdul] said she was 'speechless,' when she could have said something in her defense."

Earlier in that "Idol" episode, Goodspeed showed off life-size drawings she had made of Abdul and professed her admiration for the former Laker Girl.

KEEP READING NY POST INTERVIEW

PLUS FROM THE NY DAILY NEWS:

A good friend has rushed to the defense of 30-year-old Paula Goodspeed, telling the Daily News that the aspiring singer wasn't a suicidal, "looney freakazoid" still obsessing over the mocking she received at her September 2005 "American Idol" audition.

Story continues below

Instead, Goodspeed was upbeat and planning for the future when she last communicated with pal Brianna Schlanger less than 24 hours before cops recovered her body Tuesday.

"She sent me a text at 10:22 the night before about meeting for a latte and movie. She ended the message with a happy face," said Schlanger, a model from Reseda, Calif. "She seemed fine. Some

PLUS FROM PEOPLE, A DIFFERENT SIDE:

Last week, Paula Abdul got flowers with a note signed, "Love, J.T." and the message, "Hope you're doing great. Here's my new cell number."

Thinking they had come from her restaurateur boyfriend J.T. Torregiani, Abdul called him asking why he had changed his number, a source close to Abdul tells PEOPLE. When he said he hadn't, Abdul knew immediately who really sent them: ex-American Idol contestant Paula Goodspeed, according to the source....

Also, PEOPLE has learned, Goodspeed had changed her first name from Sandra to Paula.

Comments

[Omidal]

Remember Ashley ToDD, the McCane supporter, who carved a "B" on her face to accuse the Obama campaign. Well, this person went to the ultime extent to prove a point.

[DeanClash]

There should be a Godwin's Law for Ashley Todd or McCain campaign crazy antics.

[DaisyDooks]

And what, pray-tell, point was that?

[firelord5000]

I feel bad for the family, that is a seriously stupid comment. If anything, they are to be blamed, not Paula.

[Twinkie]

These kinds of suicidal tendencies tend to be the result of issues stemming from childhood. The family should be asking themselves what went wrong. The AI event was just a catalyst.

[BuzzingAlong]

With this looney brother who wouldn't have problems.

The woman had no talent.

[CalifroniaMark]

OKAY! How is Paula Abdul or American Idol responsible for this Woman's obvious issues. She auditioned in the 5th season so she had for years of prior knowledge of knowing what she was getting into.

If anyone is to blame I say it's the family for allowing Paula Goodspeed to spiral downward for three whole years AFTER AN IDOL AUDITION and even they are not responsible for her...She is responsible for her own actions.

I understand the family is hurting but when did personal responsibility become a four letter word?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

Another perspective.

Odds of suicide in society: 1 in x.

Odds of suicide by AI contestants: higher or lower?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

It's a tragedy. Not just the woman's suicide.

Also the fact that the family is echoing her presumed sentiments in blaming American Idol.

I appreciate their anger amidst their grief. But roll back the clock weeks, months, or years, and one might see a family in denial of their loved one's er... vulnerable state of mental health.

Whose "fault" more -- after the woman herself? Paula's... or the family's?

[Big0725]

Screw it. I chalk it up to nature thinning the herd.

[BillMelater]

Tragically, this is something that could be expected from a show that makes fun of people. Some emotionally disturbed contestants are going to take rejection very hard.

http://billmel8er.wordpress.com

[SouthernYankeeBelle]

I rarely watched the show. I didn't like the way they treated people. Saying that the girl should have known what to expect. I say a clip of her performance and I would say the girl was in denial. She had no talent and Paula tried not to hurt her feelings.

[funkulous]

It's human nature to want to assign blame following a tragic death. And yes, despite the tactless comments found here and elsewhere, it is tragic -- at least for those who cared about her. Obviously, she was troubled.

That said, I will never understand the need to mock or ridicule or bully someone like Paula Goodspeed. It's such a cowardly act.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

I agree. But it's good for ratings.

Doubly sad that Abdul was the LEAST obnoxious of the three, in that case and in general and frequently stands up to the two guys, and still is getting blamed.

[pillgirl]

i'm very sorry for this family's loss, but it's certainly not paula abdul's fault.

[MTer]

Why in the world do not people just accept responsibility for their own doings? This had nothing to do with Paula Abdul. I saw the audition. Paula, as she normally does, was gracious in trying to say the woman could not sing. It seems to me the woman had emotional problems, for instance, stalking, etc. How irritating for others now to blame Paula when she had NOTHING to do with the outcome of this person's life. People just need to grow up and accept their own responsibilties.

[rzan1]

The show sets these people up to make fun of them. This woman obviously was mentally ill. I don't know what her diagnosis would be, but she did have a legitimate illness, suicide being the end result. We would never make fun of someone with a devastating disease such as cancer. These people need to be weeded out during the early audition process, not pubically humiliated on television in front of millions of people.

[Mithrall]

So are you suggesting that American Idol screen all of the contestants for mental health issues? I am not sure that is wise, ethical or even feasible.

[BuzzingAlong]

So why didn't the family get help for this woman?

[maceov]

Not overlooking the poignant fact that this poor girl had absolutely NO vocal abilities whatsoever, and after hearing a recap of her ear shattering, screeching rendition of "Proud Mary" on Entertainment Tonight, I felt even sorrier for her.

Then for the brother of Sandra/Paula to blame Paula Abdul for the demise of this obviously very troubled individual, sister or not, is beyond strange and too bizarre for words, and which also points to a disturbing trend of the inability to see, feel and "cope" with life's realities within this family.

This poor Sandra/Paula had some demons that she was dealing with, beyond a doubt - body dismorphia issues which lead to anorexia, obssessions with Paula Abdul which led to her stalking, and now because she couldn't cope with the thought of Abdul's being completely creeped out by her, she decided to end her own life, because "that'll show her, and THEN she'll be sorry."

I pray for the parents and sibling of this distraught individual, and hope that other overly-indulgent parents will take note and perhaps not be so willing to give in to little Johnny and Susie's every childish whim. Then possibly, and we can only hope, they won't raise children who simply cannot handle or accept hearing the word "No."

[mingusman]

fer christ's sake,,,what a pile...good riddance...thinning of the herd.

[twokidsonecat]

Oh my.

[Clare53]

That is a horrible post.

[Big0725]

Amen. One less flake in the bowl.

[sepiasiren]

I do think everyone media and us, needs to leave the family of this girl alone--they could have known that she had issues and may have even tried to stop her from auditioning, however, you can't do anything more than that -- a person has to decide for themselves.

Also, people need to give this guy a break--he just lost his sister and is having hard time--he will need someone to blame but in the end, he may realize the reality--

Give them some time to heal and stop making judgments about people we don't know.

[Abby1]

This is a very sad story. However, Paul Abdul is not to blame for this woman's demise. It is quite obvious that the woman had some mental problems. I wish she could have gotten help and recovered. I know her family is mourning her death, but the tone set in the article seems like they will try to sue the show for the death.

[Steamboater]

Abdul's a mess but she's not responsible for the death of this girl That young woman had severe self-esteem and emotional problems long before she ever saw Paula Abdul and her brother just can't admit it in his grief. Who knows? Maybe he's looking for a lawsuit which any reputable judge would throw out of court.