Thursday, August 27, 2009

Blake Lewis Denies Report Of Unpaid Taxes

Source: AI Now


Robert Snell who is known as the "Tax Watchdog" at The Detroit News published a report yesterday that is getting a lot of buzz.

Snell alleges Blake owes the IRS $124,798 for income taxes in '07, the year he was on "Idol."

Lewis' spokeswoman Jessica Erskine said, "Everything has been resolved with the IRS."

However, Snell reports the LA County Recorder's office said on Wednesday that a lien release, which would indicate the debt has been paid off, has not been filed.

Blake also took to twitter denying the report. He simply said, "this info is false."

Meanwhile, Blake's highly anticipated sophmore album drops October 6.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Danny Gokey Going Country; "Formal Announcement" Very Soon

Source: AI Now


If we pre-wrote articles here at AI Now, we would so be writing up our Danny Gokey record contract announcement!

With each day that passes it appears a little more certain that "American Idol" season eight finalist Danny Gokey will be getting the recording contract he so deserves.

In an interview with "The Morning Call" Gokey declined to give specific details but suggested a formal announcement is imminent.

“All I can say is there’s good news,” Gokey said. “That’s all I can say. There’s good news on the horizon."

In an even more recent interview with EW's Michael Slezak, Danny expanded and said fans should expect a "formal announcement" before the "Idols Live" tour ends in mid-September.

In the EW interview Gokey also revealed what genre he will be going with for his debut album. "It will be country....because of the message," Danny said. He added, "But it will be a newly marketed way [of doing country.]"

Danny also discussed plans to co-write some of his music.

And the genuine and inspirational sides of Danny Gokey that I loved on tour continue to show as Danny said it's not about "making the millions" with his upcoming album. Danny just wants to make good music and work his way up the latter in the music business. Danny, we wish you nothing but the best and are so excited for you!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Reports Confirm Shania Twain Is Joining "Idol" Panel

Source: AI Now


PEOPLE Magazine was the first to break the news that country superstar Shania Twain was close to sealing a deal to join the "American Idol" judging panel for one round of season 9 auditions.

Multiple media outlets, including The Insider & ET have confirmed that Twain will indeed be a guest judge when the show heads to Chicago on August 30th and 31st.

Twain joins an impressive list of guest judges including Victoria Beckham, Katy Perry & Mary J Blige.

Meanwhile, reports continue to surface that Paula Abdul's "Idol" days may not be over just yet.

Jason Castro's Single Cover Revealed

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Adam Lambert outshines Kris Allen

Source: newsday.com


Photo credit: Newsday/Ana P. Gutierrez

For "American Idols," competition never ends.

Sure, Kris Allen may have won the TV show back in May over Adam Lambert, but that doesn't mean he no longer has to prove himself.

And at Nassau Coliseum last night, the laid-back Allen showed he has a ways to go before he reaches his potential. (The "Idols" return to the Coliseum for another show tonight.)

Though his likable personality and warm voice came through, his song choices didn't have a lot of flash - Matchbox Twenty's "Bright Lights" isn't exactly a barnburner in the best of circumstances and the dressed-up jazzier version of Kanye West's "Heartless" lost some of its punch.

Lambert, on the other hand, is ready for stardom right now. He injected artistry and even some sexiness into a traditionally straightforward show. His vocal heroics and hip thrusts made Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" a blast, while the Prince-ly take on David Bowie's "Let's Dance" were pretty thrilling.

Both Danny Gokey, with his potent Rascal Flatts ballads, and Allison Iraheta, with her wild rocker girl takes on Pink and Janis Joplin, were predictably strong.

There were some true surprises, though. Anoop Desai's gorgeous take on "Always on My Mind" could have gotten him to the finals. Lil Rounds, who underperformed on the show, was markedly better on Alicia Keys' "No One" and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies," pushing the possibility that she's this year's undiscovered gem, like Jennifer Hudson.

Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for Matt Giraud, who somehow seemed like he was twice his age, doing "Hard to Handle" and Megan Joy Corkery has gotten worse, emphasizing odd syllables and weird notes in Amy Winehouse's "Tears Dry on Their Own."

She serves as reminder that the public spotlight won't be shining on all of them for much longer.

Adam Lambert’s New CD Cover and Awards

Source: In Entertainment


Adam Lambert didn’t win this season of American Idol, but he has got some awards. The recent award is from Rolling Stone.

Adam was the cover boy for the magazine, which featured his admission to being gay. This was the biggest selling issue this year, which earned Adam his newest award.

Adam can add the award to his collection, which includes Teen Choice Award and Young Hollywood Award.

When Adam lost American Idol, it shocked many viewers and fans, but his supporters are still strong in number and as passionate as ever.

Whether Adam will become more successful than the actual winner of American Idol ’09, Kris Allen, is still to be discovered, he is sure to be one of the successful winners of American Idol.

Jordin Sparks Joining Britney Spears On Tour

Source: AI Now


Yes you heard right! Beginning on August 24 "Idol" champ Jordin Sparks will be joining Britney Spears for the "Circus" tour!

Sparks will open for Britney on the second leg of Spears' "Circus" tour around North America.

About the new gig Jordin said, "Britney's show is incredible and for me to be a part of it is a great opportunity."

Ciara was Britney's opening act for the first leg of her "Circus" tour.

For tickets & more tour information, see www.britneyspears.com or http://aeglive.com/.

August 24 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
August 25 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
August 26 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
August 29 Boston, MA TD Garden
September 1 Orlando, FL Amway Arena
September 2 Miami, FL American Airlines Arena
September 4 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
September 5 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
September 8 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
September 9 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
September 11 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
September 12 Grand Forks, ND Alerus Center
September 15 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
September 16 Houston, TX Toyota Center
September 18 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
September 21 El Paso, TX Don Haskins Center
September 23 Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center
September 24 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena
September 26 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center
September 27 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Events Center

Mary J. Blige Scores Guest Judge Role on 'American Idol'

Source: ET Online


Copyright 2009 Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

ET can confirm that singer Mary. J. Blige is the latest star to land a guest-judging role on "American Idol" following Paula Abdul's departure from the show.

Blige will join judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi in Atlanta at auditions for some of next season's "Idol" hopefuls, says People.com.

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and singer Katy Perry are also set to be guest judges on the show.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

David Cook Donates Pants To Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood

Source: AI Now


David Cook now has an article of clothing in the Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood, Universal Studios Citywalk collection.

The pants David donated were from last year's Idol Live Summer Tour.

For more details see this video interview with David...

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Jennifer Hudson Has A Boy

Source: Showbiz 411


Exclusive: It’s official! Oscar winner and “American Idol” star Jennifer Hudson gave birth to a baby boy late yesterday. His name is David Daniel Otunga, Jr., named for his father and Hudson’s fiancee. Hudson tells me he weighed in at seven pounds, fourteen ounces. And Jennifer and David, Sr., by the way, did not know the sex of the baby in advance. They bought blue and pink clothes, just in case!

Hudson’s pregnancy has been an unusual one for a star. For one thing, she never announced it. She simply turned up “showing” at a concert last winter and let the fans speculate for themselves.

Part of this was privacy, some of it was superstition, but most of it had to do with the terrible tragedy she and her family underwent last October. The murders of her mother, brother and nephew were beyond comprehension. But Jennifer, who is basically a positive person, turned lemons into lemonade. She and fiancee Otunga conceived a child soon after the episode.

So many congrats to Jennifer and David Otunga. The other day her recording of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which had been included on the second collection of songs for the Obama inauguration, shuffled up on my Zen XFi (no iPods here). It was magnificent. Hudson has the potential to be the Aretha or Gladys of this generation. And now she’ll be a mom, too.

Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta Answer Your Questions

Source: E! Online


F Micellotta/Getty Images, Michael Becker/Fox

As the American Idols Live Tour nears its midway point, we are still getting you answers to your burning questions about the top 10.

Today, we bring you runner-up Adam Lambert and fourth-place finisher Allison Iraheta to answer the trivial (What's your shoe size?), the deep (What's your most painful rejection?) and the newsy (What's up with your albums?)

Here we go...

M.V.: Adam, I would love to hear more about the soundtrack. When will we find out?
Adam: I still can't say anything. It's definitely happening, but it's not my call to be the one making the announcement. Sorry!

Lesley: Allison and Adam, are you guys gonna do a duet together like you did on the show? You guys were amazing!
Adam: It would be fun, but we don't know yet. It's too soon.
Allison: Yeah, it's too early to tell. But it's something we'd like to do. Right now we're focusing on our own albums, which is the main goal, and then we can figure that out later. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Tina: How are the new albums coming along? What's the latest?
Adam: We're kind of looking at everything and kind of hanging on to as much as we can and choosing from there. If we're feeling a song, we'll record it. If we're not feeling it, we don't. We're going to powerhouse it after the tour is over as far as getting songs recorded and writing some new material. We've made a nice big dent in the process, but I think the majority of it will be done afterward.
Allison: I've been going through material on tour. My favorite person to work with is Kevin Rudolf because his energy is great, and he's just a great guy and has already done so much.

Lesley: Adam, is your album gonna have songs like "Whole Lotta Love," "Cryin'," "One" and "Born to be Wild"?
Adam: I don't think that's actually really going to happen. I think the record needs to be new material. I do know we recorded some [of the live material from tour] that will be available on iTunes as a special offer.

Anonymous: Adam and Allison, do you bounce ideas off each other for your albums?
Allison: We definitely do bounce ideas off each other. We're showing each other tracks we have like, "Hey I got this new track. What do you think?"

Laura: For all the Idols, how do you stay healthy on tour?
Allison: I'm really bad at that. I really don't care. I have thought that maybe I should watch what I eat. But I mean, being on the road and having a bunch of crap food around, it's hard not to eat it. I treat myself. If it's been a long day, I think I might just want to stuff my face with some chocolate or something.
Adam: I think the question is: Am I staying healthy on tour? I'm trying. I avoid a lot of the crap food. I have some vitamins I take. I have this stuff that's green powder that you get at Whole Foods. It's called Super Mineral Vida Green. And I've been, like, trying to take that every day in, like, a smoothie to get my vitamins and greens and nutrients and all that, and that kind of helps me feel better.

Katie: Adam, what shoe size do you wear?
Adam: It's like an 11 and a half.

Jane: Allison, what is your favorite Salvadorian food?
Allison: Pupusas, stuffed with different things, are pretty good.

Katy May: Adam, what is your most painful rejection?
Adam: It was probably in the dating world. Going after people and really feeling like there isn't anything there that's being reciprocated. That hurts. That's happened numerous times.

Jun: How do you manage to keep your voice from getting hoarse after such intense performances almost every single night?
Adam: It's definitely a learning experience in trying to learn to pace yourself. I found out that I can't do all the super, superhigh notes every night, or else they won't be there the next night. I'm just trying to learn to pick and choose my moments to really wail.
Allison: I just really hold back on some shows. Having four shows in a row, that's not fun. You want to do your best at the show, but it's really hard when you want to have a good show the next day. So on some days I need to not belt it out as much as I would so I can save my voice for other shows. Some nights I hold back, and other nights I belt it out. Last day of three or four days in a row I belt it out.

Allison: Adam, how do you handle the groupies?
Adam: Every night is such a big event. You have tons of people who are superexcited and passionate, which feels incredible. But at some point, I can only give so much and have enough energy to go out the next day. It really is draining. I'm not complaining about it at all, but it really is. There's a point where you're like, "Wow, I'm exhausted right now. I just gave a show. I met like 200 people and took pictures with everybody. And now I'm out signing autographs and people are, like, screaming insanely." It feels great, but yeah, it takes a chunk out of you.

Shannon: Allison, what is it like having young people look up to you as a role model? (You're my American Idol.)
Allison: I never thought there would be little girls saying, "When I'm older, I want to be like you." It's weird, but it's awesome.

Simon Cowell Finalizing Deal For 3 More Years On "Idol"

Source: AI Now


In the midst of Abdul's exit reports are now surfacing that indicate Simon Cowell should be on "American Idol" for at least three more seasons.

CKX chairman and CEO Robert Sillerman indicated at the second-quarter earnings call of CKX, parent company of "Idol", that Cowell is finalizing a deal with Fox to return to "Idol" under a new contract.

Season 9 is Cowell's last year under his current contract and Simon has indicated publicly that he might not return to the show.

"We've heard from Fox, who has asked us for approval for Simon Cowell to appear for three more years on 'Idol,'" Sillerman said. "They, in their negotiations with Cowell, have asked us to pre-approve him not only for 'American Idol' '09, which has begun taping, but they have also asked us for approval for '10 and '11, indicating to us that they're finishing their negotiation with Cowell. We did grant approval for that, quite obviously."

While the financial details weren't released Reuters says Cowell is set to bring in $45 million a year with the new contract, up from $36 million a year under his current contract.

Fox declined comment Monday.

Mark Ballas: Just Say No to Paula as Dancing Judge

Source: E! Online


Michael Caulfield/Getty Images, Jesse Grant/Getty Images

Mark Ballas wouldn't mind seeing Paula Abdul on Dancing With the Stars—just not as a judge.

"I think we're good with our judges," Ballas told me yesterday at the Teen Choice Awards. "I think she should be on the show as a competitor."

Considering Abdul's dance background, can't she be one of the show's professional dancers?

Nope…

"She can't be a professional because she's not a ballroom or a Latin dancer," Ballas explained. "She'd be great as a competitor. She's a great personality, everybody loves her and she makes great TV."

If the former American Idol judge does end up on the next season of DWTS, producers better make it happen pronto. Ballas said he starts training with his new celebrity partner in two weeks. He insists he doesn't know who he's been paired with.

Shawn Johnson, the Olympic gymnast who won DWTS last season with Ballas, said we'll be seeing her in the audience come season nine.

"I'm gong to be getting the death glare when I walk down the stairs with my new partner," Ballas said.

And speaking of Johnson, I am happy to report that she finally has her repaired disco ball trophy at home after it was damaged shortly after their big win. Johnson beamed, "It's at home on a mantelpiece on display beautifully."

Friday, August 7, 2009

Constantine Maroulis Gets In A Fight Over Paula Abdul

Source: NY Daily Times


Corkery/News

“American Idol” alum Constantine Maroulis, 33, got his butt kicked by an Abdul hater during Casio’s G-Shock party Wednesday night at Cipriani Wall Street.

The partygoer threw punches, pushed Maroulis to the ground and kicked him repeatedly before security guards stepped in. According to witnesses, fisticuffs erupted because Maroulis professed his desire for Abdul’s return to “Idol.” His attacker was more than happy to see her gone.

“It was hilarious! Constantine got into it with this guy who was probably 6 inches shorter and 60 pounds lighter,” laughs an observer. “The guy body-slammed him and punched him in the face and then just stood up, straightened his tie, and said, ‘B—ch, don’t you ever,’ before walking away.”

The attendee adds, “Security didn’t know what to make of this guy. He was so well-groomed in his suit, and he didn’t look like a threat at all. Constantine was so overwhelmed he just sat there on the floor for a few minutes.”

Later, the Tony nominee, who just signed for another year in the Broadway show “Rock of Ages,” tweeted about the incident.

“It broke up quick, didn’t even know him. Or throw one punch. I don’t mind a fight … but only when it’s fair and I’m looking!” wrote the star, adding, “I’m fine! Some drunk dude tackled me in the middle of the concert and jumped on me.”

Maybe hostility was in the air. While Maroulis’ fight transpired, performer Kanye West rapped about his anger over a March arrest for breaking a paparazzo’s camera. West sang, “I have to pay $100,000 to the photographer who said I hurt his arm, but I was just breaking them (bleeping) cameras, I wasn’t trying to do you no harm dude.” He added, “I’m not trying to stop you from getting paid at all, but I feel the pictures you take are trying to make the icons fall.”

Kara DioGuardi Speaks Out About Abdul’s Exit

Source: US Weekly


Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Kara DioGuardi is still shocked that Paula Abdul has quit American Idol after eight seasons.

“I can’t get over it. I’m completely shocked,” she said on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS-FM radio show Friday. “It’s such a loss for the show, such a loss for the contestants. She’s definitely the heart of the panel.”

“The kind of heart she treated the contestants with she treated me with last year,” said DioGuardi, who added that she was “scared” joining the show last season. “She was so kind to me and made me feel immediately like part of the panel.”

DioGuardi added that she hopes Abdul “will reconsider” her decision to leave.

“I’ve left her a lot of messages. I talked to her last week,” DioGuardi said. “I haven’t spoken to her this week.”

DioGuardi shot down speculation that she was hired last season as an insurance policy against Abdul in case she leaves.

“The way I’m understanding it is that it was her choice to leave,” DioGuardi said of Abdul. “I never was here to replace her. It would be impossible to replace Paula Abdul. She’s an incredible talent. She is somebody who helped make the show as big as it is. How could you ever replace that?”

“If anything, she was really somebody who helped me because it was awkward at times being the fourth person,” she added.

DioGuardi - who is in Denver Friday to begin auditions - said she is excited to return to the show alongside Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson for a second season, calling Idol “an incredible show.”

Said the new judge, “Last year, it was tough at times. Being the new kid, you get beat up a bit. I’m hoping this year that people are more accepting.”

On Thursday, Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Rice said producers are currently looking for a fourth judge to replace Abdul. (Katy Perry and Victoria Beckham are among the guest judges who have signed on.)

Abdul - who left show because she reportedly she didn’t get her desired $20 million deal - isn’t sweating the fact that she is out of a job.

“At this point, there are so many wonderful things that are being offered to me,” Abdul told the Associated Press Thursday. “And I got to take a deep breath, sleep a little … and go through everything.”

Kelly Clarkson: Cover Controversy?

Source: ET


Copyright 2009 Self Magazine

Kelly Clarkson looks fresh and radiant on the cover of the new SELF magazine, but has the singer -- who admits to ups and downs with her weight -- been Photoshopped?

"Yes, of course we do post-production corrections on our images," Editor-in-Chief Lucy Danziger tells ET. Airbrushing images is an industry standard, and the mag stands behind its decision.

"SELF magazine inspires and informs our 6 million readers each month to reach their all around best," Lucy adds. "Kelly Clarkson exudes confidence, and is a great role model for women of all sizes and stages of their life. She works out and is strong and healthy, and our picture shows her confidence and beauty. She literally glows from within. That is the feeling we'd all want to have. We love this cover and we love Kelly Clarkson."

For her part, Kelly has been constant in saying she is happy with who she is, Photoshop or not. She even joked about seeing the album cover for All I Ever Wanted, saying on her blog: "It's very colorful, and they have definitely Photoshopped the crap out of me, but I don't care! Whoever she is, she looks great."

"My happy weight changes," she tells SELF. "Sometimes I eat more; sometimes I play more. I'll be different sizes all the time. When people talk about my weight, I'm like, 'You seem to have a problem with it; I don't. I'm fine!' I've never felt uncomfortable on the red carpet or anything."

Recently, the "American Idol" winner has gotten into a workout program called Crossfit, which she says has given her more energy on stage.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Fox Execs: Paula Will Be Replaced; Guest Judges Scheduled

Source: AI Now


For all of those who speculated Paula Abdul's twitter resignation was a publicity stunt, today Fox made it quite clear Paula will NOT be back. Fox executives today said, "It's over. No question. It's over." Fox says negotiations are over and they are looking to freshen up the show with this new twist.

Today news is surfacing that guest judges will return to TV's #1 show this season to fill the void left behind by Paula's exit.

People Magazine reports that Victoria Beckham, will join Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi for what her publicist is calling a "one off appearance." Sources say that Beckham will not likely be a permanent add-on to the panel because of the time she spends with her family and working on her fashion line.

E! News reports Katy Perry will also appear behind the judges' desk at least one time this year as a guest judge.

Fox executive Peter Rice spoke today at the Television Critics Association press tour about the judges' contracts. He confirmed Perry and Beckham will be on the show.

Rice also said a permanent replacement for Abdul is in the works. "The four judges were getting in a rhythm last year, and we will probably have four judges back." He continued, "We feel between now and [January] that we will come up with a solution and replacement for Paula. We are looking forward to the season. Obviously, there is going to be a different dynamic. We will be looking to bring a different element and different energy to the season."

The judges will start seeing auditions on August 9th!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Paula Abdul may not be unemployed for very long

Source: Los Angeles Times


Hours after she tweeted to the world that she was leaving "American Idol," Paula Abdul was in discussions this morning for her possible new gig: as a judge and choreographer on "So You Think You Can Dance," which is produced by Nigel Lythgoe, her former boss on "Idol."

Lythgoe took a break from rehearsals for the season finale of "SYTYCD," which airs tonight and Thursday, to discuss Abdul's departure from the Fox show that gave her career a second wind. Abdul, he said, will join him and the other judges this weekend in Las Vegas, where they are filming the final rounds of auditions for the next season of "Dance," to discuss her potential future with the show. Lythgoe was the producer of "Idol" until last season. [Updated at 3:25 p.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said the judges are in Vegas for the final rounds of competition for the next season.]

"We discussed the possibility of her now being available to come on 'So You Think You Can Dance,'" he said. "She's on the East Coast at this moment in time and hopefully we're going to meet this weekend in Vegas. We go out to do our Vegas Week this week and Paula's gonna come out there and we'll sit down and talk about what opportunities are available. If I can afford her."

"With Paula's background as a dancer, choreographer and reality judge now, I don't know anyone more qualified than Paula Abdul," he added.

Lythgoe said he didn't discuss the "Idol" negotiations with Abdul but thinks it's a mistake for the show to have let her go.

"I think that's too personal," he said. "That's what she must sort out for herself. All we discussed is that, yes, this is the situation at the moment, and she may well be free to come and join us on 'SYTYCD.'"

Lythgoe said that it's shameful that "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell's salary and host Ryan Seacrest's recent negotiations were made public, because "that would have aggrieved anybody else and you'd want more money, I would think, when you see those numbers. Negotiations should be held behind closed doors, not discussed, and no embarrassment on either party."

Fox and the producers were criticized last season for losing control of the production; several episodes ran long and interfered with other programming. Lythgoe blames those issues on the addition of the fourth judge, Kara DioGuardi, whose contract has been renewed.

"I'm not a fan of four judges," Lythgoe said. "I don't mind it as guest judges. But when it's every week, you run out of time as you well know. My TiVo didn't like the fact there were four judges. I also didn't like the fact that on some weeks Simon didn't get to critique some of the singers. And to be frank I wanted to hear what he's got to say about everybody. So it made no sense to me put a fourth judge in there.

"Plus, without question, for me, it lost some of its chemistry," he added. "I believe that [Randy Jackson], Paula and Simon are the true ingredients of great judging. They're historic now. Whenever judges are discussed on reality shows, they are the ones you want to emulate. They're the ones whose names will be written in history books of television."

Additionally, Abdul and Cowell's chemistry, he said, cannot be duplicated.

"There is no one else I know that can slap Simon around," he said. "I don't think Kara can do that. The chemistry isn't right. She hasn't been castigated by Simon. If that starts to occur, it will all be fake. When Paula smacked Simon, you never felt that was put on for the cameras. That was her true emotion coming out, a true passion."

-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo credit: Associated Press

Ryan Seacrest and Idols React to News

Source: AI Now

Ryan Seacrest and former Idol contestants speak out about Paula leaving American Idol:

Ryan Seacrest: "I am shocked and saddened about paula. Idol and the cast have grown with each other over the last 8 seasons..I can't imagine the panel without puala. She's a star @ a great friend."

Michael Sarver: "I am sad to see Paula not coming back to idol. It will be the contestants that suffer the most. She was a loving mother to us and I can't picture AI without her."

Brooke White: "Thank you for the genuine care and concern you gave to us contestants. Your kind spirit will be missed."

Syesha Mercado: "Paula your heart is so big. Your presence helped the show become what it is. I wish you the best. We love you!"

Chris Sligh: "I think both Fox and Paula have made a HUGE mistake. Paula needs this. Fox needs Paula. But the show will go on."

Phil Stacey via MySpace page: "As much as America will miss her, those I feel the most for are the future contestants of American Idol. Ms. Paula was a constant source of encouragement. She was the one voice on the judge panel that understood what it was like to pour your very soul into a performance, only to have it scrutinized before millions of people. She judged with a tender heart, and I for one really appreciated that! She saw star potential in everyone. Future contestants will certainly miss out."

Paula Abdul Leaving 'American Idol'

Source: Access Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- After much speculation, Paula Abdul will not be returning to "American Idol" next season.

The "Idol" judge hit her Twitter page on Tuesday night to break the news.

"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #Idol," she posted on her Twitter page. "I'll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon."

Following the announcement, FOX issued a statement of their own to Access Hollywood confirming Paula would not be in her judge's chair next season for the first time since the show began in 2002.

"Paula Abdul has been an important part of the 'American Idol' family over the last eight seasons and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best," the statement from FOX said.

During her "Idol" negotiations, Paula posted several messages on her Twitter page making it clear that her return was still up in the air.

"Your support & encouragement means so much to me. I hope you understand I can only return to #Idol if the deal is fair," she posted last week.

On Tuesday, after announcing she would not return for the show's upcoming ninth season, Paula once again offered her heartfelt thanks to her fans for their support.

"What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me... It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month," she wrote. "I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all."

Paula's negotiations with "Idol" producers reportedly came down to money. According to a previous report by Radar Online, the veteran reality judge was asking for $20 million to return to the show - "Idol" was reportedly willing to offer half of that amount.

The news of her departure comes just weeks after host Ryan Seacrest inked a new contract worth $45 million over three years, making him the highest paid host on reality TV.

Meanwhile, last week it was confirmed that the newest member to the "Idol" judging panel, Kara DioGuardi, would be returning to the show when Season Nine bows in January.