Exclusive With Paula Abdul! Her Side of That Jason Castro Critique & Her Fight for a Gay in The Top 12

 

After Jason Castro went home this week on American Idol, he told MTV News, "I just really felt relieved. The pressure was off"; he also said he viewed Paula's now-famous judging mix-up the week prior as an "honest mistake" that didn't affect him.

But speaking of pressure! After accidentally critiquing Jason on a song he hadn't sung yet due to a last-minute format change from Idol producers, Paula told Entertainment Tonight, "We all wish that someone would have told us ... We all just screwed up everything. ... But we all went, 'This is live television. It's actually fun!'"

Weeell - that ain't what she told me! I was lucky enough to speak with Paula Abdul for a second time - our first interview got cut short, and this follow-up involved many cancellations and even an apology bouquet for me from Paula! - and since the whole Jason controversy had just happened when we spoke, Paula gave me a very emotional account of the night from her point of view.

 

 

Paula revealed Simon went Naomi Campbell on a few of the unlucky producers and that in fact none of the judges watched Jason's performance that night, to give you a few highlights.

Also - the real reason Paula and I chatted - we talked about her love and devotion to the gay community, and how she fought hard to keep gay contestant Danny Noriega on the show for just that reason.

 

Read it all after the jump!

 

[And so the impromptu interview begins! Paula was in L.A. - I believe - talking to me on her cell phone preparing to leave her house...]

 

Hi, sweetheart.

Hi! Thank you for speaking with me, Paula!

My pleasure. Like I said, I'm sorry it's taken so long.

No, it's totally fine. I know how crazy-busy you must be. And thank you for the flowers! I was so excited to get them.

I hope you put the card up.

 

Oh, yes ... I got flowers from Paula Abdul for consistently getting blown off!

 

So have you ever really done gay press? Like The Advocate or something? I couldn’t find anything. 

There's been little things on me that were supposed to go in The Advocate ... God, it was two years ago. Could it have been three? Ay-yi-yi...

I know you’re dealing with all these swarms of blogging and craziness with Idol right now too – how are the Idol people treating you?

Well, they're kissing my butt because they kind of made me ... Let me just put it blunt: They made me the fall guy. The producers made me the fall guy and figured on, Well, we don't have to tell Paula what's going on. That'll save us because we screwed up, and Simon and Randy and Paula are really pissed off at us.

At the commercial break, Simon threw a pad of paper and a pen at the producers! Why in the heck wouldn't you tell us that you're suddenly going to change the rules? And the funny thing is, I'm the only one who heard Ryan say, After two songs each... 

Oh, I didn’t catch that. [Starting here, Paula gives a blow-by-blow of a very confusing series of events. Also, she was pretty emotional while speaking with me - so for someone who didn't see the Idol episode in question, this next part might be a tad confusing.]

No, no one did because they made sure it was off-camera. Before the commercial break, one of the producers came crawling in saying, Don't blame me - it's the other producers. And we're going to have to write notes; we're not going to remember what [the producers] are saying. And sure enough, while we're doing this, we missed Jason Castro's first song.

Now, we all see the dress rehearsals. We're asked and required to; it's not a secret. But somehow, the producers are making it like it's a secret – but it's not. And when I came in to watch the rehearsal, I saw the kids sing what I thought was the only thing they were singing. I didn't know they were singing two songs.

So I remembered [Jason] singing "September Morn" and not "Forever in Blue Jeans," 'cause none of us heard "Forever in Blue Jeans," because we're talking to the producers underneath the table.

 

 

After that happened, apparently there was a big brou-ha-ha with the producers, and then a producer comes crawling in on Syesha's song – she was the last one – and whispers something to Randy, but Simon and I didn't hear. And we go, What did he say? And Randy goes, Uh … Uh… Ryan's coming to us right now after Syesha.

And then the lights go on, and the kids are being pushed onto the stage. They didn't know what's going on either.

So at that point, Ryan should have said, OK, ladies and gentlemen and America, we're going to do this differently. He never said that. So in my mind, it's two songs, two songs. And I'm trying to think, OK, they're going to us now to critique. Did they sing two songs? Oh my gosh ... I start to get nervous. And I'm writing notes feverishly, and Simon's got some of my notes and so does Randy. And I'm like, Oh my god... So I'm realizing, what I saw in rehearsal was the second round. So I'm trying to split my critiques from the second round into the first.

... But everyone starts laughing. And I'm used to that, because Simon's usually off to the side, off-camera, making fun of me. I've learned to just kind of stay focused on what I'm saying and just ... be strong, you know? And um ... this is tough ... it's really nerve-racking. I'm being the scapegoat for everybody ... and pulled into the center of controversy. [she starts to cry.] ... I don't mean to be crying. This is not right.

 

 

No, no...

No, what sucks is Ryan says, Oh, Paula's channeling the future. Doo-doo-doo. [Twilight Zone noises.] Why in the hell would you do that to me? Why? He could have said at the beginning, Oh, we’re changing it up again. And they figured, Randy knew - then they figured Simon will figure it out. And if you look at him, you see Simon, he's not making fun of me; he's perplexed. And when he finally catches on to what's going on, he gets it - and he takes over for me to make me look like an idiot.

And then, they wouldn't apologize the next day. And they said I'm overreacting after the show, when I knew, this is going to be bad on me. The producers are like, Oh, no. I go, No, I’m the scapegoat for you guys. That's not fine, that's not OK. You guys have to protect me on this. And they didn't.

And needless to say, when push comes to shove, I had to force them to mention something - and so Ryan looks like the hero, but nothing was addressed, and I wasn't supposed to say anything on live television afterwards.

And there you have it. You know? And people write terrible things. And I'm the only judge that gives a sh*t. I'm the only judge that remembers everything that they do - that's so there for the kids. And in between commercial breaks, I'm helping them suck it up – the two of them who have to go home, whoever goes home - I've got tears on my clothing, makeup on my clothing, I put my hair over... No one knows what I knew.

Anyway, it just sucks, Colin.

No, I can only imagine. And it’s crazy to hear all these distractions and demands - and you actually care about them - how stressful that must be…

I know you don't have time, and I have to get in my car. I know you only have until 2.

Well, OK…

I don't want this to be the interview.

I know. We need to talk about your relationship with the gay community. That’s what I've never been able to read.

My whole life ... [she starts to cry again.] has been surrounded by marvelous, wonderful gay people. My best friend Jimmy right now is living with me, and he's one of the most magnificent singers in the world. I don't think anyone sings better than him.

He lives with you?

He's kind of been staying with me lately, because you know ... Let's see, my four closest friends - they're my best friends - are three gay guys and one gay woman [laughs a little.].

[She says this to someone with her.] And you're not gay Chris! Get out of here! ...He goes, What am I, chopped liver? No, I mean, my whole life, my extended family has been a family of wonderful gay people.

I've grown up in the business, behind-the-scenes, as a dancer choreographer - not so much as a dancer, but as a choreographer. And I've lost so many wonderful, dear, dear people that I trained and that toured with me. It's been a world that I feel very, very close to. I feel that, in many ways, I'm more understood by the gay community than I am anywhere else.

 

 

And you know, people talk about Madonna being the queen of reinvention - and while I applaud her - I don't know anyone who's reinvented themselves more than me, and created monumental, ginormous success in completely different areas of the industry. And that's something nobody's done – not in our generation and not that anyone I've been reading up since I was a little girl. I don't know anyone who started below the line and became - first of all, a cheerleader, and then revolutionizing cheerleading - and then became one of the most world-celebrated choreographers.

And often mistaken as a pop star of the '80s when I was ... I never had a publicist. I looked like I was a pop star because I was in the magazine articles, because all the acts wanted me to be in them. So it was mistaken that I was a pop star – until, you know, "Straight Up" came out. And that came out when all the studios broke down for Christmas, so my hits really came in the '90s.

So how do you think the community you know has changed … or what do you think of the state of the community today?

I think that the entertainment industry ... it's changed. Let's take this last American Idol: I pioneered Danny Noriega like there was no tomorrow, and he knows my love for him. I single-handedly brought in David Hernandez and Danny Noriega.

You pushed for them?

 

 

I pushed for them and fought... There's a reason why there was never, ever a debate or argument during the Green Mile show. We were still debating, and I was being yelled at - we were going overtime - because I fought so hard for Danny and David. And I stood my ground. I said, This kid is needed – especially Danny- because he is very open about being gay. He tried out the year before, and I fought...

Do you know how many people I've embraced and fought for them being at peace with themselves? I mean, I worked with George Michael on the most coveted Faith tour. You can't get bigger than that. And I was so understanding and so supportive of the fact that it's really difficult living a ... not living your life truthfully, for fear that people won't accept you.

And it wasn't until years afterwards that he came out - and he had the courage to walk up to me when I was eating dinner with Mike Ovitz at the Ivy - and he came up to me and said, I want to apologize; you're one of the most talented people, and I treated you not so great. And that's because ... I was living a lie of who I was.

And he gave me the biggest hug. And I said, For that my dear, I love you more than ever.

Because for a lot of people, the two most vulnerable places to be are in front of a mirror or behind a microphone – and both are areas of my life I've had great success. So I've watched people who are afraid of being who they are. Like with Danny Noriega, it was so important for television, for young kids to see: Here's a young guy, who's very smart, very witty and beyond talented, and I wanted so bad for him to go far in this competition. I needed him, I wanted him so bad to make the top 12. It would have changed even more so...

I'm being told, if I don't get out of my house right now ... but can I continue in my car?

 

[And there you have it! I wasn't able to speak with Paula in her car - and, as of today, I haven't been able to get back in touch. But I'm hopeful there'll be more to come!]

 

Comments

[hello]

you know, shes a lovely person who deserves to be happy but i just feel she isnt as happy as she deserves to be =( and i bet you that american idol was Loving all the publicity her mistake gave them. they dont care that it was horrible for her, all they care about is their ratings =(

[Dana]

If you ever get in touch with Paula again.. you need to tell her she has a lot of fans who love her and they dont care one bit about what the media might write about her!

[Brandon V]

OMG, that's awesome. I wonder...is she pretty much outing David H by lumping him in with Danny? I hope Paula and you become besties.

[Former Paula fan]

It's a damn shame that Paula has to lie and pander to the gay community -- and we fall for it! Neither Danny nor David H. has EVER publicly declared their orientation before being on IDOL or even after they left, except David’s MySpace which said he was straight. But she knows better...? Not only can Paula read the future when judging a song that hadn't even been performed yet,(ala Jason Castro) but now she claims to know everyone’s sexual orientation before she has even meet or spoken to them! Paula, try decafe or, better yet, rehab! As a gay man, I am INSULTED by your pandering and your attempt to prove you're our BEST FRIEND -- by lying. You owe BOTH Danny and David an apology! Even if they are both gay and you know that from a personal, non-public conversation or comment -- you owe them a DOUBLE apology for outing them without their permission. Shame on you! You are NOT my friend or the community's friend.

[Meltintalle]

I have mixed feelings about this. She makes it sound as if she only pushed for them to make the top 24 so she could showcase their homosexuality instead of their voices. Im sorry, but Danny's (and David's) talent outshines his sexuality for me. Its very bold of her to assume shes the only reason they made it, and even if that was the case, to SAY thats why they made it. Frankly, I would have rather they didn't put Danny in if thats the only reason he made the top 24. Its just as bad as putting someone through just because they are a certain race, or just because they have a sob story. Her saying what she did cheapens his success. This is a talent competition, not a "pimp this minority" competition. But whatever, no one takes anything Paula says seriously anyway. Rawr, now Im annoyed.

And besides, did she get permission from David or Danny to out them so publicly? Shut your mouth Paula, thats their personal business.

[Dan]

Lay off the tina, Former Paula Fan, and join a group to deal with your issues of self-loathing. Calling someone gay is not an insult. In case you don't have eyes and ears, Danny Noriega is gayer than a treeful of parrots. Whenever he opens his mouth a Prada purse falls out. Did I mention he was gay?

[Former Paula fan]

Dan, drop the Dr Phil crap. This is not about self-loathing. Did I say anywhere that it was an insult to be gay or to be called gay? This is about Paula trying to pander to us by lying. This is about Paula discussing Danny and David's personal life as if she has the authority or their permission. This about Paula lying that she convinced IDOL, FOX-TV Randy and Simon to let Danny and DH make the TOP 24 ONLY becuase they are gay -- not talented -- but gay! And I see you have fallen for it. Meltintalle totally gets my points. Loosen your curlers ... Danny boi!

[ddaydrmngrl]

In chat tonight Danny was asked what he thought of this article. He said he didn't know about it so one of the chatters sent him a link. He read it and all he said after he finised reading it is "Hmmm" (long pause) "I love Paula." Then he decided he was tired and signed off soon after.

I wonder what he really thinks. And I REALLY wonder what David thinks.

[Lynne]

So,Paula was the victim on the night of her big blunder? I think that Jason Castro is the one that Paula and the producers owe an apology to. So all of the judges gave their critism of Jason's first song that they had not paid attention to and then Paula commented on his second song that she heard in rehearsal. Makes not sense! I do not feel one bit sorry for her.She is paid a lot of money to sit one hour (not even the whole hour) every week and listen to these contestants and she cannot keep up! Please, spare me the tears, Paula. As for the gay issue, she wanted Danny and David H in the contest simply because they were gay. She did not even mention talent. Isn't this a talent competition? The girl has lost it.

[kQQky]

I totally agree with ddaydrmngrl
Further shows what a sham this show is. The producers slam the contestants they don't want to win! And it is totally scripted!

[a Paula fan]

Paula if you happen to be reading these comments, i applaud what you said. one of my best friends is gay & i think it's great what you did. Danny & David are talented & you didn't have to point it out cuz it's obvious they are. i don't agree with the other replies.

& your TRUE fans will always love you know matter what, just remember that.

[Donna]

Jason is the wronged party in the whole mess. I think AI is a over rated and rigged

[Jenna]

Actually, Former Paula Fan, Danny has said that he was gay. It's in one of his youtube videos and David H. had gay as his orientation on myspace before Idol.

Anyways, I love Paula!