Paula Abdul is accusing American Idol producers of forcing her to come face-to-face with known stalker Paula Goodspeed, reports People.
Abdul was a guest on Barbara Walters’ Sirius XM radio show Barbara Live!, where she claimed that Idol producers allowed Goodspeed to get close to her for “entertainment value.” The Idol judge was familiar with the girl and begged producers not to let Goodspeed audition in Season 5, but they went ahead and allowed her into the room anyway.
"I said, ‘This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in.’ Everyone knew. I was shaking," Abdul remembered. She also claimed producers insisted Goodspeed audition because it would “be fun for them to cause me stress,” and added that Goodspeed showed up at other auditions and obtained her address by following her home from one of them.
“She had been writing disturbing letters for 17 years, almost 18 years,” said Abdul. “We had restraining orders at times.”
Abdul claims Goodspeed also sent her naked pictures of herself and, in some letters, threatened her with “bodily harm.” Abdul adds, “She said the only way I will serve her purpose is when I’m up in heaven being her guardian angel.”
On Nov. 11, police found Goodspeed dead of an apparent suicide outside of Abdul’s home.
When Walters asked why she continues to be a part of American Idol, Abdul responded, “Well, I'm under contract.”
But if Abdul’s Idol days are over anytime soon, she can always turn to her other love: jewelry design.
Since Idol’s first season, the middle judge has never let a contestant leave without one of her infamous pieces. Now, similar items will be available on the Home Shopping Network, reports The Associated Press.
“I pretty much wear my jewelry all the time now, but I end up giving it away,” said Abdul. “I’ll take it off my wrist or neck and give it to someone who likes it.”
Abdul designs jewelry and gives the pieces to the aspiring singers as a keepsake of the experience. She said that after she witnessed what the contestants had to endure from fellow judge Simon Cowell, she wanted to do something nice for them. ”I wanted something the kids could touch and feel to remind themselves that their talent got them here.”
Abdul had previously sold a limited jewelry collection on QVC. Her new HSN Forever Your Girl line also includes handbags and other accessories, with prices ranging from $29-$200.
Thoughts? denette@tvguide.ca
