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What It Takes To Keep Paula on 'Idol'

Posted Aug 7th 2009 9:45AM by TMZ Staff

Paula Abdul on 'Idol'Sources tell us Paula Abdul will make a deal with "American Idol" if the price is right -- and we're told that price is $10 million a year.

We've already reported well-connected "Idol" sources say they haven't closed the door on bringing Paula back for season 9. We're told they have not communicated with Abdul since she tweeted her goodbye, and auditions start Friday -- without Paula.

But here's the deal. Our sources say Paula was not happy with the "Idol" offer but willing to sign -- just days before her deal-breaking tweet. She had a sudden change of heart, largely because she felt "disrespected" by "Idol" execs who had offered Simon and Ryan a lot more than they offered her. We're told the show offered her around $4 million a year.

In the end, we're told the magic number is $10 mil. If "Idol" antes up, they can buy a loose cannon.

**Check out yesterday's TMZ Live -- when Harvey and Charles answered your questions about Paula's fate and Debbie Rowe showing up to Dr. Arnie Klein's office again.



Tags: american idol, AmericanIdol, contract, deal, money, paula abdul, PaulaAbdul

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1. first

Posted at 6:08PM on Aug 6th 2009 by Abbey

2. They should pay whatever it takes to keep Paula. Who wants to watch Idol without Paula, Simon and Randy? Why on earth would they pay Ryan more than Paula? Ryan can be replaced and no one would care but not Paula.

Posted at 6:11PM on Aug 6th 2009 by saltine

3.


Stand your ground Paula.......


YOU DESERVE every penny of that money you want. American Idol makes a ton more off of people watching you on the show...

You Go Girl!!!!

Posted at 6:10PM on Aug 6th 2009 by LadyMom

4. Pay her 10 million a year to contribute pretty much nothing and come to work high? They can get someone with a lot more talent and knowledge of the entertainment industry. She's a has been who should accept has been pay.

Posted at 6:14PM on Aug 6th 2009 by WTF

5. IN YOUR OPINION,

WHY DO YOU THINK (A.I.) WON'T GIVE PAULA aBDUL THE MONEY SHE IS ASKING FOR?

THEY COULD OF ****NOT*** HIRED KARA D. AND GIVEN PAULA THE MONEY SHE ASKED FOR.


i LIKE PAULA EVEN IF SHE DID SEEM DRUGED UP OR DRUNK.

LAST SEASON SHE SEEMED TO BE IN MUCH BETTER FORM.

SIMON SEEMED TO REALLY GET ALONG WITH HER AND LIKED HER ALWAYS PLAYING AROUND DURNING THE SHOW.


***** I WON'T WATCH THIS NEXT SEASON IF (PAULA) ISN'T THERE.

BYEBYE IDOL!

Posted at 6:17PM on Aug 6th 2009 by LadyMom

6. What is she doing she needs to money........she better take 5 milli a year and get back to chilling with Simon and Randy of the chipmunks...I know Randy's not a chipmunk but it soiunds nice.......

Posted at 6:18PM on Aug 6th 2009 by Dilemma

7. How can they have Idol without Randy, Simon or Paula? It seems sexist to me to not pay the female judges as much as the male judges! I think all three are equally important to that show and have made it what it is. They should all make the same amount! How do they figure out how much they are worth?

Posted at 6:17PM on Aug 6th 2009 by kelly

8. What about Randy?? How much does he get paid and why doesn't he make it a big deal like Paula?

Posted at 6:19PM on Aug 6th 2009 by MD

9. $10MM a year, eh? Get over yourself Ms. Abdul. I realize that the producers of this ridiculous show make tons of dough, but c'mon... no one deserves to make $10MM a year for sitting on their butt and telling people how wonderfully they just performed. Hell, I don't think Brad Pitt and George Clooney deservce that much dough for acting in a film either, but at least I'd watch the film. Sorry girl, but you better get down here on earth with the remainder of us mortals and realize that if you want a paying gig, you'll have to 'settle'.

Posted at 6:20PM on Aug 6th 2009 by See Ya Paula

10.
Idol Execs should send her the following Tweet...

"Paula, Hit the bricks, kick rocks, pound sand, and leave the key to your dressing room",

Posted at 6:20PM on Aug 6th 2009 by .

11. What does Kara (American Idol Judge) get paid? How long is she contracted for? If anyone should leave the show it should be her in my opinion.

Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 6th 2009 by Jason

12. IF PRINCE AND PARIS WEREN'T LEGALLY ADOPTED BY MICHAEL AND THEY ARE NOT MICHAEL BIOLOGICALLY KIDS.DOES THAT MEAN "LEGALLY" THAT THOSE AREN'T MICHAEL CHILDREN ANDTHE MONEY DOES NOT PERTAIN TO THEM TWO? AND KATHERINE DOES NOT HAVE A RIGHT TO THEM.

Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 6th 2009 by ladynblack

13. Question concerning Debbie Rowe/Klein:

If Dr. Klein is the biological father of two of the children, does he have any legal rights to the children? Are there any provisions in the law that would supercede any contracts that may have been signed?

Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 6th 2009 by Annie

14. Well if she wants to go then let her, $10 million are you kidding?

Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 6th 2009 by Justice for all

15. Do you think Debbie may be telling Klein to back off?

Posted at 6:22PM on Aug 6th 2009 by hellnurse

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