Former American Idol Producer Nigel Lythgoe Denies Paula Abdul Was Intentionally Ignored By Idol Producers

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Former American Idol Producer Nigel Lythgoe Denies Paula Abdul Was Intentionally Ignored By Idol Producers

December 15, 2008 05:00:38 by Paulene Hinds

nigel-lythgoe-idol-producer

Former American Idol Producer Nigel Lythgoeis denying that the show’s executives knowingly put Paula Abdul at risk by allowing Paula Goodspeed to audition for the show during season 5. Paula Goodspeed had allegedly stalked Paula Abdul for over 17 years and was found dead of an apparent suicide outside of Paula Abdul’s house this past month.

“You do not take somebody in that room that you believe is a danger to herself or a danger to Paula,” Lythgoe told People at a promotional event for his new NBC show, Superstars of Dance. “That would not enter our heads.”

“We were wheeling her in as a huge fan of Paula Abdul,” Lythgoe said. “This is what we knew: [She] was a lovely girl, and a great fan of Paula.”

Paula Abdul spoke out about the incident this past week to both Good Morning America and Barbara Walters, claiming that she had asked the Idol producers to not let Goodspeed audition, but had her plea ignored. “I honestly say I can’t remember the conversation,” Lythgoe said on Thursday. “If that’s what [Paula] said, I believe her.”

Paula also stated that the whole Paula Goodspeed incident was intended to ruin her career and when asked by Barbara Walters why she was returning this season, she told her that she is under contract.

Nigel Lythgoe would rather the whole subject be dropped and the present American Idol Producers would probably like the issue to disappear as well, especially so close to the beginning of season 8.

“I’m really sad for [Goodspeed's] family,” said Lythgoe. “For [this subject] to come back four weeks [after the suicide], I’m really sad we’re still talking about it.”

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Photo Credit: Ten.com.au

Topics: American Idol, FOX Reality TV Shows, Paula Abdul |

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