Paula Abdul at center of 'American Idol' scandal

May 6th, 2005

By Anna Parachkevova

Jeffrey Kimmel, 33, of Lunenburg, said he approves of Paula Abdul's alleged affair with an ex-"American Idol" contestant.

"She's hot, and this is only going to help her career, long after the show is gone," Kimmel said.

Corey Clark, a 2003 contestant on the popular Fox television talent show, claims Abdul, who's a judge on the show, offered to coach him, bought him clothes, and, eventually, initiated a sexual relationship with him.

Approximately 13.8 million viewers watched Clark's exclusive appearance on Wednesday night's broadcast of ABC's "Primetime Live," according to a report by the Associated Press, based on preliminary Nielsen Media Research ratings.

Kimmel said Clark has nothing to complain about.

"That kid would have been one of the happiest kids in the world," Kimmel said. "Not only did he get on 'American Idol' but he slept with Paula Abdul. What is he complaining about?"

Betty Wass, 74, of Leominster, said she heard about it on the radio Thursday morning.

"People have been calling, saying it's a horrible thing to do," Wass said referring to the alleged affair.

Casey Laycox, 19, of Winchendon, said she was shocked when she found out.

"I am a little distraught," Laycox said. "And wasn't' he (Clark) a minor? It's supposed to be American Idol. It just shows what people do to get ahead."

Clark was 22, and Abdul, 40, at the time.

Clark, a finalist in the show's second season, had to eventually leave the show after getting arrested for a domestic dispute with his sister, and failing to inform the show's producers about it.

Laycox said the scandal will ruin the reputation of the show and tarnish the credibility of the judges.

"That show is definitely not going to be as big because you will never know if someone slept with someone on the show," Laycox said.

Megan Richardson, 17, of Leominster, said the scandal will only boost the show's ratings.

"People will watch the show to see what happens next," Richardson said. "And people who watch the show for the singing would not care much about the whole thing."

Richardson said she watches the show only occasionally, and is not a big fan.

Alyssa Vinton, 17, of Lancaster, said she rarely misses an episode of the show, and hopes Abdul will continue to be one of the judges.

"I love Paula," Vinton said. "I think she is one of the best judges ever."

Vinton said she does not believe Abdul had an affair with one of the show's former contestants, but does not condemn the action, if true.

"If I were her, I would do the same," Vinton said. "If I were a contestant, I'd do it."

Vinton said she likes the show because she wants to see who will be the next big star.

Joyce Reyna, 16, of Lancaster, said she believes Abdul had an affair with Clark.

"I can see that happening," Reyna said. "She's hot for her age ... Why are people making such a big deal out of it. It's her life."

Kelly Sanches, 16, of Fitchburg, said she doesn't find Clark's claims plausible.

"She (Abdul) doesn't seem like that type of a person," Sanches said. "People would do anything for five minutes of fame."

Carl Holmgren, 58, of Orange, said Clark's story is not convincing because he waited two years before disclosing it.

"It's just a guy trying to make some bucks," Holmgren said. "His timing is interesting. He is not taking it to court or anything; he is taking it to the media."

Abdul has since called Clark "a liar," claiming he is using the story to get publicity for his book.

Clark's memoir, titled, "They Told Me to Tell the Truth, So ... (The Sex, Lies, and Paulatics of One of America's Idols)," went on line shortly after his "Primetime" appearance.

Original Article: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ci_2717282

Filed under: American Idol