Show Reveals 'Idol' Contestant's Claims Of Abdul Affair
POSTED: 8:57 am EDT May 4,
2005
UPDATED: 10:22 am EDT May 4,
2005
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Despite legal threats from Paula Abdul, it looks as though ABC is pressing ahead and will air a "Primetime Live" special in which a former contestant on the show claims he had an affair with the "American Idol" judge.More details about the alleged affair have been released by the show, in which the contestant, Corey Clark, 22, claims he had a sexual relationship with the 42-year-old Abdul.Clark told "Primetime Live" his first private phone call with Abdul came after her associate slipped him Abdul's phone number. He told the show that Abdul told him he needed better song choices and she offered to help him.He claims Abdul said: "I want to look out after you like, like I'm your mom," then, "Well, more like your sister," and that he said, "Cool."And then he said Abdul said, "Well, maybe more like your special friend."
He also played an answering machine message for the show, but the contents of the message were not revealed in advance.Clark claims Abdul initiated the relationship, first as a friendship and then it became sexual. He said Abdul also gave him money to buy expensive clothes to improve his look.In a statement released to "Access Hollywood" last week, the publicist for the "American Idol" judge said, "Paula Abdul will not dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response. Mr. Clark is an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activities. He is communicating lies about Paula Abdul in order to generate interest in a book deal."Fox has released a statement to ABC saying that Clark has never notified the network or the show's producers of any concerns despite "multiple opportunities" to do so. However, the network will look into the matter."We will, of course, look into any evidence of improper conduct that we receive," Fox said in the statement. The network added that the public should "carefully examine Mr. Clark's motives, given his apparent desire to exploit his prior involvement with 'American Idol' for profit and publicity."Also featuring judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, "American Idol," a perennial ratings hit, is now in its fourth season. This year's show is now down to five contestants.
Slideshow: 'American Idol' Controversy He also played an answering machine message for the show, but the contents of the message were not revealed in advance.Clark claims Abdul initiated the relationship, first as a friendship and then it became sexual. He said Abdul also gave him money to buy expensive clothes to improve his look.In a statement released to "Access Hollywood" last week, the publicist for the "American Idol" judge said, "Paula Abdul will not dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response. Mr. Clark is an admitted liar and opportunist who engages in unlawful activities. He is communicating lies about Paula Abdul in order to generate interest in a book deal."Fox has released a statement to ABC saying that Clark has never notified the network or the show's producers of any concerns despite "multiple opportunities" to do so. However, the network will look into the matter."We will, of course, look into any evidence of improper conduct that we receive," Fox said in the statement. The network added that the public should "carefully examine Mr. Clark's motives, given his apparent desire to exploit his prior involvement with 'American Idol' for profit and publicity."Also featuring judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, "American Idol," a perennial ratings hit, is now in its fourth season. This year's show is now down to five contestants.
Previous Stories:
- April 27, 2005: Paula Abdul Dismisses Claims Of Affair By 'Idol' Contestant
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