Paula Abdul Defends Clay

Paula Abdul came to the defence of Clay this morning on AI host Ryan Seacrest's LA radio show on KIIS FM. Clay came to Paula's defence last spring when Paula was facing the Corey Clark affair scandal.

From the CB's looptyloop:

I was in the car this morning and KIIS FM On Air with Ryan Seacrest was on. Ryan had Paula call in and they talked about this and that regarding last night’s premiere of AI. During the conversation Ryan brought up one of what he called the most unprofessional moments in Simon Cowell's career to date. (Now I don't pretend to know Ryan but I did speak with him quite a bit during our OARS stint. I know he teases about his rivalry with Simon etc. but he sounded genuinely upset while sharing this...)

Ryan talked to Paula about this and that and then he proceeded to talk to Paula about the day that she and Simon got into it during the auditioning this summer for AI5. Apparently Simon got up, walked out, and he drove straight to the airport. It was in the middle of a production day and he just hopped on a plane and flew "home". (Which home is anyone's guess). Ryan was indignant about how this left the crew and contestants in a pickle. He said all of these people were there for work and they had all flown into whatever city this took place in, took time away from their families, etc. only to have Simon walk out. It got interesting when the reason for Simon's tirade came to light.

Ryan asked Paula what that was about....Paula said it was classic Simon; he was being a colossal jerk to a contestant. Apparently a girl was auditioning...at the end of her audition Simon said, "I suppose it was ok as long as I keep my eyes closed!" I guess the girl was mortified and Paula trying to comfort her said, "Don't listen to him honey that isn't anything he didn't say to Clay Aiken and LOOK AT HIM NOW! Look how good he is doing, don't listen to him!" As Paula tells it Simon got irate and basically denied ever saying that to Clay. Paula was like "Simon....YOU DID SAY IT!" I guess Simon got really mad and said, "Paula, YOU WEREN'T EVEN THERE THE DAY CLAY AUDITIONED!" (Me talking here, but like that even matters...she would have seen it on TV ) Anyway, Paula said, "You are right Simon I wasn't there that day in Atlanta when Clay auditioned because I was sick, BUT you said it to him at least 3 or 4 other times." And Simon got so angry and denied it apparently, according to the way they are telling it, and he got up and left the CITY!!!

Could it be that Mr. Cowell doesn't want anyone to remember how mean he was to Clay now that Clay has done so well and the man he so clearly backed is placed so far over on the "winners" backdrops for the AI auditioning you can't even make out his elbow???

Well, anyway Ryan was mad and said he couldn't believe that Simon could deny ever saying that when Paula called him out on it....Ryan was like, he so treated Clay that way! etc. It was an interesting interview hearing how they were fighting over what Simon said to Clay etc. Apparently it will be airing in an upcoming episode of AI in the next weeks.

Just thought I would let you all in on it in case none of you have heard or read about it.