If the average viewer thinks American Idol judge Simon Cowell is rude, imagine how the person sitting to his immediate right during the show's episodes and auditions must feel.
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Still, Abdul said Cowell helped her tremendously two years ago during a reported sex scandal with former Idol 2 finalist Corey Clark, who alleged that he and Abdul had a sexual relationship while he was competing on the mega-hit Fox reality series. In addition, Clark alleged that Abdul had helped him with his song choices on the show and with his wardrobe...only to drop him like a hot potato when he was kicked-off for covering up his arrest for battery against his teenage sister and prior lawsuits against him for passing bad checks. (In a plea-bargain, Corey subsequently pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of obstruction of process and received a suspended sentence and probation.)
While an investigation by the network cleared her of any wrongdoing, Idol producers still reportedly discussed replacing her because of the bad publicity. Abdul told The Post it was Cowell who spoke-up on her behalf.
"I have to be honest about Simon," she told The Post. "There's the times when he's like a big brother - or a lover. He was extremely distraught and protective and supportive of me when that happened."
Cowell, who produced Celebrity Duets, America's Got Talent, American Inventor and Cupid in the United States, also created and stars in The X Factor, an Idol-like reality talent competition that ranks as one of the United Kingdom's most popular shows. Abdul said she thinks Cowell might be spreading himself thin these days.
"There are days when he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed...or something that's happening in England," Abdul told The Post. "When that happens, he's got his cigarettes, his phone and that's it. He doesn't know how to turn it off sometimes and focus on our show. Simon's moody."
After working as a Los Angeles Lakers' Laker Girl and becoming the eventual choreographer for the group, Abdul went on to choreograph music videos for numerous artists, from Duran Duran and Dolly Parton to Janet Jackson and INXS. As a pop-star in the 1980s, Abdul sang numerous hits, including "Opposites Attract," "Forever Your Girl," "Rush, Rush" and "Crazy Cool." She's currently backing a live-action movie based on the popular fashion dolls, Bratz, using earnings she's acquired through the success of Idol.
Despite her numerous interests in all things entertainment, Abdul said she can't even imagine a time when she is no longer on Idol.
"If people don't mind seeing me with a full head of gray hair," Abdul told The Post. "But by then I don't know if I'll have so many nervous twitches that my body will get in the way of watching the talent."
The sixth season of American Idol will premiere on Fox on Tuesday, January 16 at 8PM ET/PT.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio
