EXCLUSIVE: Paula Abdul Demands $20 Million From American Idol

Posted on Jul 20, 2009 @ 11:36AM

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Paula Abdul has 20 million reasons to be angry at American Idol - one for every dollar that she wants (and hasn't received) to return to the hit show.

RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively that Paula is asking for a $20 million deal to come back to the hit Fox show - a demand that has been turned down so far.

Her manager David Sonenberg is playing tough, and probably made a few network execs squirm this weekend when he told the Los Angeles Times, "Very sadly, it does not appear she's going to be back on Idol."

The story behind Sonenberg's comments, RadarOnline.com has learned from sources close to the situation, is that the former Laker Girl and hit recording star is demanding $20 million and the other side has floated the idea of $10 million. And while Paula has regularly renegotiated her contract with dire threats of not returning, Sonenberg is talking tough and hasn't given anyone on the network side reason to believe he's bluffing.

Paula was reportedly miffed that Ryan Seacrest got a staggering new deal ($45 million over 3 years!) before she did. The inimitable Simon Cowell is engaged in larger negotiations that could keep him on the hit show for years and tie him exclusively to Fox with a new TV production company he's forming.

See Simon snapped with a mystery woman in France!

And let's not forget Kara DioGuardi, aka "the fourth judge." Sources tell RadarOnline.com she's extremely miffed at the show and the production company because they axed one of her songs from the set list of the American Idols summer tour.

Comments

If Ryan Seacrest is worth $45 mil; why shouldn't Paula get $20 mil? She's at LEAST as entertaining as Ryan; and I like the fact that her feedback to the contestants tends to soften the frequently harsh criticism they receive from Simon.

by Red in Denver
Posted Tue, 07/21/2009 - 11:25am

Do not pay her that kind of money. The show can do without her. I think she is drunk most of the time anyway.,

by marktb
Posted Tue, 07/21/2009 - 10:41am

I like Paula Abdul, but truth be told Simon is really the only one that cannot be replaced. Any pretty girl could take Paula's spot.

by Raavak
Posted Tue, 07/21/2009 - 9:50am

20 mil is no surprise and is needed by Paula - the price of Grey Goose went up several times.

by mcdiver
Posted Tue, 07/21/2009 - 12:21am

Here's a clip of what I think of every time I see Paula: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ozp6No4W8&feature=related

by ainulindale
Posted Tue, 07/21/2009 - 12:12am

$20 million??? For what? To dance around like an overhyped, menopausal, emotion junkie, who is there to annoy Simon and boost contestants self esteem?

by ainulindale
Posted Tue, 07/21/2009 - 12:09am

Here's what I think of every time I see Paula: youtube.com/watch?v=K1ozp6No4W8&feature=related

by ainulindale
Posted Tue, 07/21/2009 - 12:15am

Paula girl, get them for EVERY CENT you feel you deserve. Yeah, $20 million for this kind of work is ridiculous ... but hey, that's how capitalism works. 2008 is the year of HOPE and CHANGE. Here's hoping you get your change! Ching! Ching! Ching!

by DannyJones
Posted Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:35pm

There are countless hard working people in the United States that are losing everything they have and $10 million dollars is not enough for Paula. What a shame.

by Bryanb
Posted Mon, 07/20/2009 - 9:16pm

I think Paula is a handful. But she deservers her share of the wealth. Pay this Looney tune. Don't fix what is not broken... Fox, Freemantle & 19...PAY HER !!!! You are greedy pigs !!!!

by Beth
Posted Mon, 07/20/2009 - 5:47pm