Breaking News: Paula Abdul Announces She Won’t Return to “Idol”

After much speculation, negotiation and even a Twitter campaign, Paula Abdul has announced she will not return to Fox’s “American Idol” for its ninth season.

At approximately 9:30pm central time, Abdul sent the following tweets:

PaulaAbdul With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all..Cont’d… 05 Aug 2009 from web

PaulaAbdul 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. 05 Aug 2009 from web

PaulaAbdul What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me 05 Aug 2009 from web

PaulaAbdul It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month 05 Aug 2009 from web

PaulaAbdul I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all 05 Aug 2009 from web

Twitterville immediately reacted:

skitguye It’s official Paula Abdul says she won’t be back on IDOL. Ladies and Gents- the mayor of crazy town has left the building… 05 Aug 2009 from Twitterrific

EmilyTheGiraffe Paula Abdul is now officially not going to be on american idol. Honestly, i don’t give a flying fadoodle 05 Aug 2009 from txt

lulu_hearts_you OMG!! Paula Abdul no longer on #IDOL?!?!?!?!?! Wtf. Now I am def. not watching. 05 Aug 2009 from TwitterBerry

eillenevalencia I just found out Paula Abdul is not returning to “American Idol.” There’s no point in watching it if she’s no longer there. Hella shocked. 05 Aug 2009 from web

LiCarlsey #iwillneverforget Paula Abdul on American Idol : (( I’m so sad right now that she’s not returning 05 Aug 2009 from web

ilovejoejonas50 I guess I’m not all that surprised that Paula Abdul is leaving American Idol. I’ll be gutted though when Simon leaves. 05 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck

major2829 Noooooo! Paula Abdul is not coming back to Idol! 05 Aug 2009 from UberTwitter

pollyprissypant It’s official: Paula Abdul not comin’ back to Idol. Where can I go for her special brand of nutbar wisdom now?? http://ow.ly/j6As -via @GMMR 05 Aug 2009 from web

michxxblc Oh snaaaap! Paula Abdul is not returning to Idol?! THANK THE LORD! She’s just mad cause, Ryan’s getting paid more then she is. LMFAO! 05 Aug 2009 from mobile web

babyd510 @FOXBROADCASTING i will not watch american idol now that paula abdul is not on!!!!! #noPAULAnoIDOL #noPAULAnoIDOL #noPAULAnoIDOL 05 Aug 2009 from web

nefretiriii Oh wow. So it’s Randy-Kara-Simon?? :O RT @PaulaAbdul With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to #IDOL. 05 Aug 2009 from UberTwitter

hopegram @PaulaAbdul The show won’t be the same without you! God Bless You! 05 Aug 2009 from web in reply to PaulaAbdul

pottergirl7 @PaulaAbdul I love you Paula, hate that you not returning to Idol 05 Aug 2009 from web in reply to PaulaAbdul

markgrasso wouldlike to thank @paulaabdul for her service to American Idol. 05 Aug 2009 from web

sara_bean SEASON 9 IS GOING TO BE TERRIBLE. NO KRADAM, NO @PAULAABDUL… I DOUBT I’LL WATCH. 05 Aug 2009 from web

tinyoakboy415 @PaulaAbdul that sucks. You and Simon had the best chemistry on that show. You will be missed. 05 Aug 2009 from web in reply to PaulaAbdul

MrsTLaw #IDOL will be fine without the incoherent rumblings of Paula 05 Aug 2009 from Tweetie

itsTaraReid I can’t believe Paula Abdul isn’t coming back for another season of American Idol. That’s a horrible decision. 05 Aug 2009 from TwitterFon

merib no paula this year on american idol? will be far less entertaining! 05 Aug 2009 from TweetDeck

fiarra paula isn’t returning to idol. that makes me more sad than i would have expect. WHEN DID I BECOME OBSESSED WITH AMERICAN IDOL?! IS THIS RL?! 05 Aug 2009 from TwitterFox

amykwerner Whoa! I don’t even watch Idol and I’m shocked. RT @GiulianaRancic PAULA ABDUL IS NOT RETURNING TO IDOL!!! THE DETAILS ARE COMING… 05 Aug 2009 from web

lilnelliebellie This has to be the last season of idol! I just dont see how you can have no paula abdul!!!???? 05 Aug 2009 from TwitterFon

mahanamuhammad won’t watch idol w/o Paula abdul Big mistake FOX idol’s last yr 05 Aug 2009 from mobile web

R1cantak3r No more Paula Abdul on American Idol… Oh well lol 05 Aug 2009 from web

lovekaranicole PAULA ABDUL NOT RETURNING TO IDOL. I’M OUT! No Paula=NO SHOW. Are you serious. The show is so two seasons ago, anyway. :sigh: 05 Aug 2009 from web

afrancum1 can’t believe paula abdul not returning to idol–do u guys think she really won’t get some sort of deal? 05 Aug 2009 from web

Journalisti Let’s see if Paula Abdul & her shocking announcement to leave ‘Idol’ will beat Clinton in trending topics. The fight’s going to be fierce. 05 Aug 2009 from web

sl4lxoxo wiki now says “Judges: Paula Abdul (2002-2009)” WTF? SCREWYOUSCREWYOUSCREWYOU 05 Aug 2009 from web

ashrz11 Paula Abdul isn’t coming back to American Idol…My Tuesdays are now open. 05 Aug 2009 from web

NaOliveira And I’ll sleep with the best news of the night: Paula Abdul out of American Idol! (for now at least). 05 Aug 2009 from web

Abdul’s absence means the show will go back to a 3-judge panel, now consisting of Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi. In a statement, Fox said:

“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.”

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