Paula Abdul Faces More Controversy

"American Idol" Judge Is "Hurt" By A Phone Call Leaked To The Press

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NEW YORK, June 1, 2007 | by Amy Bonawitz

(CBS)  Paula Abdul seemed to put her most recent controversy behind her when she walked the red carpet at the 35th Annual FiFi Awards in New York on Thursday. The gala honored the fragrance industry's creative achievements.

Earlier in the day an audio tape surfaced on the Internet in which the "American Idol" judge could be heard sobbing as she talked to her representatives about how upset she was by a comment from Howard Bragman, a former publicist, who apparently said she was "too old" to grace the cover of a magazine.

On the tape Abdul said that she suffers from neck pain and Addison's disease, an endocrine disorder. The audio was leaked Thursday and spread like wildfire.

Abdul's rep released a statement to the Web site TMZ.com late Thursday that said, "I'm deeply hurt and extremely disappointed that someone has taken a private telephone conversation and that I had with my representatives and released it to the media. That is not only illegal but highly unethical."

On Thursday evening Abdul talked with reporters before the event held at the World Financial Center. She said she is working on her own fragrance.

"It's one of the most important accessories," Abdul told The ShowBuzz. "I'm blessed to have two of the most important things and experiences in my life. You have music, where music can take you back to a person, a place immediately. The other thing is fragrance. Smell can take you back to an experience, a relationship, a time in your life. And to have both in my life are extremely rewarding."

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