Paula Abdul quits American Idol?

(Paula Abdul, 1990 Academy Awards) Straight up, Paula Abdul has decided to ditch her role as a judge on the hit television show "American Idol". According to a blog article in the New York Times from Brian Stelter and Edward Wyatt, the musician is officially leaving the show after weeks of contract negotiations failed to produce anything. Abdul even Twittered about her decision for all the fans: “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 being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon.” (Source: Paula Abdul Twitter) The big news that Paula Abdul quit American Idol came just a day after newest judge, Kara DioGuardi, said she would return as a judge for the next season. The other judges currently include Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell. Apparently, Paula was trying to get a raise from her $2 million contract of last year, but the talks fell through. A week ago the singer put on her Twitter "I hope you can understand I can only return to Idol if the deal is fair". So to finish off the song jokes, it appears Paula won't be "forever your girl" on Idol, and that the show may have taken "two steps back". The question is, was Fox a "cold hearted snake" in this deal, or was Paula to her fans? (Story Source: NY Times) photo by Alan Light

Cry Me a River by Susan Boyle

Leona Lewis move over? The hottest singing sensation around these days has got to be Susan Boyle, who appeared on the reality talent show "Britain's Got Talent" and shocked the judges, including Simon Cowell with her performance. Cowell is of course also the infamous judge on American Idol who rips contestants to shreds in front of studio and national audiences week in and week out. Susan Boyle managed to make Cowell pull a "Home Alone" hands-on-face jaw-drop-in-shock type moment when she wooed him and his two fellow judges with her singing skills on "I Dreamed a Dream" (Youtube). It not only shocked Simon, and his fellow judges but an audience of doubtful haters who chose to judge on appearance before hearing the talent. Now Boyle is making the rounds on various talk shows and may appear on the Oprah show soon. She claims one of her major goals is to one day sing for the Queen of England.... It appears that the first recorded song by Susan Boyle was done 10 years ago and is her rendition of "Cry Me a River"- not the cover of the Justin Timberlake song, but a cover of a classic by Ella Fitzgerald. It's been uncovered since the mass hysteria surrounding Miss Boyle came about this past week. The "Britain's Got Talent" show still has several weeks left but the ultimate voting goes to the fans and right now Susan seems to have the fans in her corner. Boyle's performance wowed and shocked the world, proving many doubters wrong. Good luck to this new sensation, but don't expect her to be outsellin the sex appeal of JT just yet, or recording collaborations with Timberland and Nelly Furtado. Then again, that just might be the next big thing...