July 8, 2009

Paula Abdul Set to Return for Idol's Ninth Season

By Jocelyn Vena (MTV.com)

Paula Abdul has confirmed that she will be return for the next season of American Idol. Abdul, whose contract expired at the end of the last season, told the Associated Press that she will be back on the judges' panel.

"I've been invited to stay the duration of the show, however long it lasts," she said, adding that she thought details of her contract would be negotiated before the start of the next season.

Abdul also described her role in the panel mix as a vital one. "I'm the nurturing mom, Simon's the disapproving dad, and Randy's the cool brother," she explained. "It's been an interesting journey. It's something that I'll always want to be a part of."

Abdul had initial concerns with the addition of Kara DioGuardi as a fourth judge, but she never thought such a move would signal her exit.

"Whenever there is change, it's not about replacing anybody, it's about possibly moving on," she said. "I love the show, I do. I love what I do on the show, and I'm loving it more this season than ever. It's taken me awhile to get comfortable in my own skin with the show."

A spokesperson for the show told MTV News they could not confirm Paula's comments and would not comment on the status of Kara DioGuardi or Simon Cowell.

Back in May, Cowell assured fans that all the Idol judges would be back for the show's next season.

"Everyone's going to be back. Absolutely," Cowell said. "It's been honestly the best eight, nine years of my life. But I just believe sometimes everything has to come to an end."