Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul humors Simon Cowell, says the latter left the her brain "permanently damaged with a British accent"

Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul recently joked that her fellow judge Simon Cowell left her brain "permanently damaged." In an interview with Fox News Digital at the Dance and Dialogue “Celebrate LA!” Event on Wednesday, April 30, the 62-year-old reflected on her time spent on the show.

Abdul, a singer and choreographer, was a judge alongside Cowell and Randy Jackson, starting from the competition's conception in 2002 until 2009. Talking about the former, with whom she frequently exchanged playful jabs onscreen, she quipped:

"Being the only woman on the panel, I had to overcome the guy on the left of me. Starts with a 'S' and ends with 'imon' and the left side of my brain is permanently damaged with a British accent."

She continued:

"But no big deal because at least I had Randy to the right of me."

"I had to stand on my principle"—Paula Abdul about leaving American Idol in 2009

Paula Abdul left American Idol in 2009. As one of the OG judges, her departure came as a shock. According to an August 2009 article by Time, her then-manager David Sonenberg told the Los Angeles Times that it stemmed from her not getting an appropriate pay raise.

The singer and choreographer later (December 2020) told TV Guide that her exit was more than just "money," explaining:

"I had to stand on my principle,"adding, "I’m a hard-working artist. I’ve lasted in this business for 23 years. And you can’t do that unless you are good at what you do."

 

 

 

 

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Paula Abdul continued to note that she had an "amazing experience" on the singing competition. She added that she would miss coaching young talent and seeing them "take off and soar."

Talking to Entertainment Weekly in 2016, Abdul noted that the "process of auditioning contestants" was an exercise in "poker face" before adding:

"But how can you do poker face when the guy to the left of you (Simon) is continuously saying things that are absolutely horrible, and then you have Randy to the right that’s holding sheets of paper over his face and his shoulders are going up and down laughing?"

She recalled there were times she and Cowell fought, especially in moments where she "cared" too much. Abdul explained that those were "not staged." However, she fondly joked that the times he and Jackson "went out of their way to tease (her)" were planned.

During her time on American Idol, Paula Abdul crowned the likes of Kelly Clarkson (2002) and Carrie Underwood (2005). The latter is currently a judge in its ongoing 23rd season.

 

 

 

 

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Abdul had all good things to say about Underwood. She told Fox News Digital that she was "doing a great job," adding:

"Carrie has an unbelievable advantage, having come from her humble beginning of being on the show."

Paula Abdul called her a "magnificent" artist and contestant, who went on to have a "stellar career."

Notably, Underwood went on to win the fourth season. During one of the episodes, Cowell made a bold prediction that she would win the show and sell more records than any of the previous winners on American Idol.

American Idol airs every Sunday on ABC. It is available to stream on Hulu.