Rumor-plagued American Idol judge Paula Abdul can finally say goodbye to the nightmarish scandal that has surrounded her since former Idol contestant Corey Clark came forth with claims that he'd engaged in a sexual relationship with her during the production of the reality show's second season. American Idol producers and the Fox network have announced that an exhaustive investigation into Clark's allegations has come up fruitless, and that Abdul will be allowed to keep her position on the Idol judge panel.
In what many believe was naught but a publicity stunt designed to draw attention to the release of his debut album, Clark appeared this May on ABC's Primetime Live to tell the world of the "special treatment" he'd received from Abdul during his stint on Idol. He claimed that Abdul had coached him on wardrobe choices and song selection, given him advice during secret phone calls, and eventually initiated sexual contact. Clark ended up being unable to put Abdul's advice to good use, as he was booted from the show when producers discovered that he'd concealed a criminal record including an arrest for alleged abuse of his sister.
Largely due to media pressure, Fox hired lawyers Marcellus McRae and Ivy Kagan Bierman to probe the matter. After meeting with Clark and his own representatives, the lawyers proceeded with their investigation. Fox will not release specific details about the investigation, but McRae and Bierman state that Clark's claims "have not been substantiated by any corroborating evidence or witnesses, including those provided by Mr. Clark himself."
Fox and the producers (19 Entertainment and Fremantle Media) released a statement saying, "We have determined, based on the findings of this thorough and detailed inquiry, that there is insufficient evidence that the communications between Mr. Clark and Ms. Abdul in any way aided his performance. Further, we are confident that none of these communications had any impact on the outcome of the competition. Paula Abdul, therefore, can continue as a judge on American Idol."
In an effort to ensure that American Idol remains free of scandal in the future, Fox will enact an "enhanced non-fraternization policy" for future seasons of the show. The network hopes that this step will prevent situations that could cast a suspicious light on the relationship between any Idol contestant and a judge or other staff.
Abdul has released her own statement concerning the investigation's outcome. "I'm grateful this ordeal is over, and I'm so looking forward to getting back to the job I love," she said. "Once again, I thank my fans from throughout the world for their undying love and support."
Comments (19)
How embarrassing for Corey Clark, he must have been very drunk at the time.
id do her!
cthu = crackin' the hell up
promise promise<br />
promise of a new day..<br />
<br />
cthu
She should be slapped.He should be slapped.
I don't mind paula abdul but there was something going on for sure in the last season..she was serioulsy loopy for a good chunk of it and never seemed to have anything constructive to say
We don't have American Idol here in France (we have our own version, "A la recherche de la Nouvelle star"), so I can't tell precisely, but I think to commit oneself in such a show, you have to be a little disturbed (whether you are a candidate or part of the jury). <br />
In this case, it may be mythomany from the candidate, or real sexual abuse from P. abdul. Anyway, who cares what they did or not ? It is just a TV show searching for his audience.
"American Idol producers and the Fox network have announced that an exhaustive investigation into Clark's allegations has come up fruitless..."<br />
Okay, an unbiased investigation by her employers, comes up empty. They wouldn't happen to have any financial stake in keeping one of the stars of their top rated show on the air would they?!?!? I would hardly call this "clearing her name". The headline should be "Fox and American Idol have decided to move on and want the rest of the world to forget about it and keep watching their show."
sometimes when ms. paula's turn in the panel to comment....<br />
i really don't like her comments...<br />
she will just say simple words and she repeats all of it badly...
good for paula but bad for clark because his plans in entering into entertainment was hindered by his mistakes....<br />
keep it up ms.paula...<br />
oh oh oh, why be so negative..<br />
<br />
Don't really care about people saying they hated or never liked her anyway..<br />
<br />
you could have just said.. ohh I'm not really interrested.. instead of I hate her..<br />
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if you don't like her.. Why read about her then??<br />
<br />
Something must be appealing to you then..
A publicity stunt to draw attention to Paula Abdul
Blah! Get new judges. These same ones are BORING!!!
It was all a publicity stunt for both Corey Clark and American Idol...
Through trials you find the strength in yourself, he belief to know all will be well, when you are truely pure of heart, and Paula, your pure of heart. I'm so happy the world realises what we, your fans always knew, Paula was innocent. God Bless. <br />
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your No1 fan... Dakotah-Alexis Seiuli
American Idol is a good show, but really Paula is so repetitive and boring. She is being nice, but not very honest or helpful a lot of the time.
Do we smell a cover-up somewhere???
who cares? i never liked her.
Paula Abdul is a drug addict pig ***. I hate her. She is 43.7% of the reason why American Idol is one of the worst shows on tv. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO