Paula Abdul Faces More Controversy

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

(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."

[emma915]

I agree. Paula needs to do away with the gigantic earrings, lighten the eye makeup, be more subtle in her wardrobe. The hair can stay long, but keep it out of her eyes. She's a beautiful woman. She just needs to mature a bit in how she carries herself.

[oleander8]

Paula, you are still a very attractive lady - and there is more to life than "looking" starlet-young. You need to get some meaning in your life and carry on gracefully instead of chasing being young. Everyone loses that one. The more you work to look young, the more desperate you appear.

[likeitis5050]

She's just now learning that in her profession nothing is off limits? Good grief. Goes with the territory. How else can they justify getting $50,000 in gifts just to present one time for the Academy Awards or the People's Choice Awards...or any of the other 100 awards they create just to honor and adore each other. And she might not be too old...but she needs to grow up!!!

[ssporleder]

She's not too old for a cover, but she clearly needs a new stylist..there is just too much of her on a small body - big hair, big eyes, big & sagging chest, too big earrings, too much stuff.
Tone it down, simplify.
And if she has a disease, she should open up about it, and not ashamed of it.

[beadazzle]

Just goes to show nothing is safe in this world. You got people turning people in to the authorities using their cell phones. People taking pics of you with out your knowledge. People blackmailing one another through the use of cell phones. Thats just a couple of things.

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