Ryan Seacrest Defends Paula Abdul

May 1, 2008

Ryan Seacrest came to the defense of Paula Abdul Wednesday during American Idol’s live results show.

Addressing Tuesday’s broadcast when Paula critiqued Jason Castro’s second song before he performed it, Ryan spoke up to put an end to gossip about his costar. (Paula defended herself earlier, calling the awkward moment an “honest mistake” on Ryan’s KIIS-FM radio show.)

“Last night the judges were thrown a curve ball on the air, which is just part of a live show,” Ryan said from the stage while a nervous-looking Paula watched from the judges’ panel. “But it sparked a lot of gossip about Paula. And I read some of this online this morning and just for the record, the rumors — they’re not true. She’s part of our family and we love her.”

Paula looked touched as the audience clapped and both Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell gave her a kiss on the cheek, which prompted Ryan to joke, “I think Simon still wants to hook up with her.”

Sam Jones/FOX

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Liz May 1st, 2008

She SHOULD have given Jason an on-screen apology. Ryan didn’t help to clear up the controversy of the moment, but I’m not surprised.

OMG May 1st, 2008

Of course he defended her… he’s doing her…. gesh…

JLH May 1st, 2008

Come on people, have some class. Speculation like this is just why these crazy rumors get started in the first place.

Julie May 1st, 2008

Give Jason an on-air apology for what? Accidentally reading another contestant’s critiques for him isn’t some sort of FATAL INSULT or HORRIBLY OFFENSIVE TRAGEDY. As she said, it was just an honest mistake . . . I don’t even know why Jason would be offended. It was just a mix-up.

LALA May 1st, 2008

SHE WAS PROBABLY DRUNK….

Beth May 1st, 2008

Even if she was reading another contestant’s comments, common sense would tell her that they had only sang one song. She said she thought he’d sang twice, so NO it wasn’t a mix up.

Mary May 1st, 2008

I didn’t understand what gossip he was referring to. I have to assume the gossip was that the show was going to fire Paula. I agree, Ryan did not really clear up anything. It seemed like Paula was given a script to read from on Tuesday evening. Either way, I pray that Jesus will help Paula as it is obvious that she may some health issues.

Julie May 1st, 2008

That’s a really original theory, LALA . . . I don’t think 150,000 people just said that on the last Paula post or anything . . .

Laurie May 1st, 2008

Paula should publicly appoligize to jason., not Ryan

Julie May 1st, 2008

Hey Beth, just curious, have you ever been asked to suddenly change your format in the middle of a live TV show? I don’t think any of us know what sorts of mix-ups we might make in that circumstance, and I don’t really think it’s kind of you to assume the worst about a complete stranger.

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