Abdul: Simon's Protective Of Me

(CBS)  They may butt heads on "American Idol," but Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul have a special kind of friendship.

The former pop star says Cowell helped her out two years ago when she was embroiled in that messy sex scandal, she said in an interview with the New York Post.

"I have to be honest about Simon," Abdul said. "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."

Abdul was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Corey Clarke, a contestant from season two. After an investigation, FOX announced Abdul would remain on the show because there was no proof that she and Clarke had an affair.

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Photos: Sixth Time For "Idol"

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She says the TV spats between she and Simon are real. "Truthfully, there are times that we get along just great. And other times, when he's just annoyed, I get the brunt of it," she says.

"And when I can't stand some of the things he says and then we go at it. It's just weird," Abdul says. "It's chemistry that you can't duplicate or describe. There are times when we get along famously and then there are those times when we just don't. And on those days, I just close my dressing room door."

Abdul says there are days when Cowell wakes up on the wrong side of the bed. "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," she says.

Abdul says it's difficult to picture the day when she's no longer sitting behind the desk on "American Idol."

"If people don't mind seeing me with a full head of gray hair," she says. "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."