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?