Paula Takes on the Rumors

In this week’s “TV Guide” (on newsstands now), Paula Abdul confronts the rumors that have been dogging her these past couple of seasons.

Here are some of the highlights…

Paula thinks this is her best season so far (I totally agree.). She said she notices the bad performances, she just doesn’t say mean things because she’s the only judge that knows what it’s like to be a solo artist…

She knows the contestants are crushed when she gives a negative comment…

She denies there was a mutual attraction between her and Simon in the beginning (He says there was.). Now she says he’s “become a really good friend.” She hangs out with Simon and his girlfriend, Terri Seymour…

Paula believes Jennifer Hudson should have thanked “Idol” during her Oscar speech…

What’s in her Coke cup? Sugar-free Red Bull or Diet Coke…

Remember last season’s comment about the moth and the melon ball that got the rumor mill stirring again? Paula says that Simon said to her during a performance, “Try to be interesting, Paula. Say ‘The moth that finds the melon ball inside the wonton will win.’” That made them laugh hysterically so Ryan asked what was going on. When she tried to repeat it, Simon acted like he didn’t know what she was talking about. Paula was so upset she told Simon later he had to stop since her integrity and reputation were at stake…

Her explanation for her sometimes slurred speech? “That’s the way I speak”…

The infamous satellite interview incident? “They let me know there was a technical difficulty, so I [assumed] I wasn’t on camera. They never frickin’ told me they were continuing to air. The whole thing sucked for me.”

Her reaction to the replacement rumors? “Honest to God, there’s no way Fremantle or FOX would destroy our chemistry”…