Paula Abdul Criticizes "Idol" Producers Over Handling Of Stalker

LOS ANGELES — Paula Abdul says the Fox network and "American Idol" producers knew Paula Goodspeed had stalked her, and allowed the woman to audition for the show anyway.

"I said this girl is a stalker of mine and please do not let her in," Abdul said Monday during an interview with Barbara Walters on her Sirius XM radio show.

Goodspeed was found dead of an apparent suicide in a car near Abdul's home last month.

Abdul said "Idol" producers ignored her protests and brought Goodspeed on the show "for entertainment value."

"It's fun for them to cause me stress," Abdul said. "This was something that would make good television."

At the behest of producers, Goodspeed appeared on the show more than once, Abdul said.

Both Fox and Fremantle Media North America, which produces "American Idol," declined to comment Tuesday.

Abdul, 46, said Goodspeed had written her "disturbing letters" for nearly 18 years and that she maintained a restraining order against the woman at times.

The "American Idol" judge also accused Fox of making her home address public, although she added that Goodspeed found the place on her own after an audition: "She followed me home with her mom."

When Walters asked why Abdul remains on a show that put her in peril, Abdul replied: "I'm under contract."

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Comments

[autumnimprov]

01:29 PM on 12/11/2008

This is serious. Paula should sue AI for everything it's worth. I saw Paula talking about this on "The View," and I am sure there were at least four other women at the time who understood the seriousness of what Paula was talking about and Paula's isolation. I've seen, in workplaces and around town, women terrorized by men in business and in religious organizations for the entertainment or protection (or business interests) of the men. Paula had contractual obligations. The behavior of those in AI who were involved in this has a name. It's called coercion. Barbara Walters is a really good example of a healthy survivor - and note that terms doesn't imply any previous or current unhealthy state on the part of the survivor. Listen to her, Paula. People really do respect survivors - and you don't have to continue to be harassed by anyone. By the way (a big 'by the way'), you have tons of talent. We've enjoyed your work a lot. But more importantly, remember: they have no right to harm you. There are many, many women (and of course some men, too) who understand the predicament you're in. Sue the crap out of them. Listen to Barbara. And also by the way: what gives AI the right to humiliate people as it does? How long was it going to take before someone took his life?

[DeeW]

07:12 PM on 12/10/2008

I've never heard this woman complete and full sentence. Does she have any education? Seriously, what's wrong with her?

[MiraMcB]

09:25 AM on 12/10/2008

Paula Abdul is not responsible nor is American Idol responsible for the death of this woman who auditioned three years ago. The incident was about this girl's obsession with Ms. Abdul over many years, not about her audition. However, if what Ms. Abdul says is true, the producers need their heads reshaped. It's obvious in the YouTube clip that Ms. Abdul is highly uncomfortable. Sounds like it was with good reason. No one should be subjected to that. It's like being pressed into social contact with your rapist. As for the nasty and unwarranted remarks about Ms. Abdul's talent, successes, etc., I'd ask what have you done that's so much more valuable or noteworthy that you can label this lady. She's a hardworking woman trying to make a living like everybody else. She doesn't deserve that kind of commentary from people who don't even know her.

[Zeigeist]

01:22 PM on 12/10/2008

Poor Paula, victimized again.

[brooklyncitizen]

10:21 PM on 12/09/2008

This was pretty crappy on the producers part...and the posts here are equally crappy. She's a big part of that show and certainly deserves respect from the creators; whether she is a "has been" not is not the issue. THey also pushed that young woman to the edge and now she'd dead.

[Tazzie]

09:56 PM on 12/09/2008

Paula is a Z list celeb that should be thankful to AI for not only giving her a career but putting up with all her outrageous drugged out behaviour over the last few years.

[BartLA]

08:07 PM on 12/09/2008

If this is true, the Producers were clearly in the wrong to do this. HOWEVER, Paula could have walked out and not have been present for the particular audition. There's no way they could punish her because she in turn would have a case against them. She should have walked out in protest to send a message to the producers that they were stepping over the line.

[NotMcCain]

07:13 PM on 12/09/2008

Hey, I'm with Paula. If you know someone causes an employee psychological distress (for whatever reason), why go out of your way to bring them around?

The AI producers know that Paula Abdul is not emotionally all that stable or well to begin with. Why intentionally push her buttons?

The show itself is pretty mean-spirited and it doesn't surprise me that it extends to their treatment of non-performers, too.

[grantlingel]

06:55 PM on 12/09/2008

Paula Abdul should really keep her mouth closed... I mean, she is soooo lucky to still be around.. she really has no business being where she is today.. she was a pop start like, 30 years ago.
http://www.vagabondstory.com

[hypnotoad72]

07:02 PM on 12/09/2008

Which is why she is there. (more like 20 years, too, but I digress.) The show is more about image than actual talent. Sanjaya should be the ultimate and ironic proof of that.

[drumz]

07:32 PM on 12/09/2008

That was everyone voting for the crappy guy to see how long he would last. The show is a joke but it is entertaining. And the funniest part that I hear they are cutting the time down on are the auditions and how people have such grandiose visions of their talent.

[AlligatorShuz]

07:12 PM on 12/09/2008

Paula should shut her mouth because she truly has no talent. She can't sing and she can't get a recording contract all of her previous albums have flopped. Janet Jackson and her oldest brother Jackie Jackson gave Paula her start and it proved she was a studio created singer because when I went to see her in concert people were walking out because she sounded so bad live and even when the back up singers mices were up with her mic. She has issues...

[hypnotoad72]

06:55 PM on 12/09/2008

Paula, please stop.

Or, what the heck, go further: There's still your bodyguards, local police, state police, FBI, and any of the various deities to pin blame on too.