Real reason Paula walked away from American Idol
"Do I really mean that little to American Idol‘ Well, I’m done!"
A furious Paula Abdul fired those words during an angry meltdown that led to her storming off America’s number one reality show, say sources.
The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively that the 47-year-old star was all set to sign a lucrative new deal and fly to Denver Aug. 7 to start picking contestants for the ninth season. But then she flipped out after learning she was being offered only half of the salary of show host Ryan Seacrest.
"Paula lost it," revealed an insider. "It really seemed like progress was being made in negotiations to bring Paula back – and then all hell broke loose.
"She was furious and felt she was being disrespected by what she thought of as a ridiculous lowball offer. It pushed her over the edge."
In a rage over her belief that she was being treated as a "second-class citizen," she quit communicating with network executives and halted the negotiations, said the source.
Then she Tweet-ed to fans: "With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return."
The announcement flashed around the world in minutes.
"Paula really believes she IS ‘Idol,’" said the insider. "Unless she is prepared to make a big eleventh-hour apology, her tantrum has cost her one of the biggest jobs in showbiz.
"She thought FOX would come running back. The truth is that she is incredibly unhappy right now. She knows she might have made the biggest mistake of her career."
Although Paula’s "Idol" persona is that of the kindly, supportive cheerleader, she can become like an angry, petulant child behind the scenes, according to the insider.
And while Simon Cowell turned their love-hate relationship into a running gag, he once described her dramatic outbursts being "like a scene out of The Exorcist."
The former pop star/choreographer never expected to get paid anything like the $140 million Cowell has negotiated for staying – because he’s one of the show’s creators, said the insider.
"What really got to Paula was Ryan’s deal. She came onto the show with the big reputation and Ryan was a newcomer. Now, even though she’s been such a big part of Idol’s success, she feels like Ryan is much more valued than she is.
"She demanded $20 million per year, but would have settled for $10 million. The network offered her about $7.5 million.
"Paula was beyond livid over the contract negotiations. She believed she had to quit because it was a matter of pride and dignity."
