Claim: 'Idol' entrant had Abdul affair

Abdul, an 'Idol' judge, has issued strong denial of allegations

Wednesday, May 4, 2005 Posted: 9:45 AM EDT (1345 GMT

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- An ABC News special on competitor Fox's hit series "American Idol" will report a former contestant's claim that he had a sexual relationship with judge Paula Abdul while on the talent show, ABC News said Tuesday.

Corey Clark, who Fox has said was dropped from "American Idol" in 2003 for failing to reveal a past arrest, told "Primetime Live" that Abdul helped him with advice and money.

Dancer-singer Abdul, known for her upbeat critiques of even the most hopeless contestants, has punched back at Clark and ABC. Her lawyer sent a letter to the network threatening legal action if the special airs.

"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," said an earlier statement issued on her behalf.

The hourlong special is set to air at 10 p.m. EDT Wednesday, after the "American Idol" results show airs at 9 p.m. EDT. The Fox show is nearing its May 24-25 finale in which a winner will be chosen and get a record deal.

Clark earlier made allegations about Abdul in an interview with the Globe tabloid, which reported that he was shopping a tell-all book.

In a statement to ABC News on Tuesday, Fox said Clark never notified the network or "American Idol" producers of any concerns about the show despite "multiple opportunities" for contestants to do so.

"We will, of course, look into any evidence of improper conduct that we receive," Fox said, adding 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."

Clark was arrested after a scuffle with his sister and eventually pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge, ABC said.

According to ABC News, Clark claims that singer-dancer Abdul, now 42, initiated the relationship when he was 22, which started as a friendship but then became sexual.

The special reports Clark's allegation that Abdul "implored him not to talk about her to the media or publish his memoirs," ABC said, noting that Clark played one answering machine message for "Primetime Live." The contents of that message were not detailed in the ABC News statement.

Clark alleges his first private phone call with Abdul came after an associate of hers slipped Clark a piece of paper with her number.

"So she was like, 'You got to have better song choices, and I want to help you do that. I want to look out after you like, like, I'm your mom,' " Clark told "Primetime Live," according to an excerpt released by ABC News.

"And then she was like, 'Well, more like your sister.' And I was like, 'OK, cool, cool' ... And then she was like, 'Well, maybe more like your special friend,' " Clark told the news show.

Source: CNN.com

What a dork. Like anyone would really believe that a rich and famous Paula Abdul would sleep with some loser contestant on the show.

Not surprised.

I always thought she had a habit of being a tad too friendly with the male performers.

Sounds like the guy is trouble. I don't believe a word of it.

Yeah, I don't watch the show enough to know the contestents, but after reading the article, you can tell the guy is just fame and money-hungry.

I watch the show sometimes. Paula just may have had a thing with this guy. My opinion (though no one has asked for it) is this: Who cares?

The judges don't do the final judging, anyway. The audience does (or the producers do, according to conspiracy theorists).

Personally, I feel sorry for Paula. I lived with severe chronic pain for six years before having a spinal fusion (which alleviated most of the pain). You do stupid things when you're in pain. This guy was probably a really big stupid thing.

I hope she can join the ranks of Martha Stewart and actually get something out of her mistake. I hope the guy crawls back underneath the rock he came from.

People will do anything to make a quick buck these days!

All to true. I think that in this case that is the main reason for these allegations. There is no reason to believe this puny little punk for what he claims. Although I believe Ms. Abdul is quite friendly, that does not mean she sleeps with everyone she meets, actually quite the contrary. Also the fact that Simon Cowell considers this to be complete 'rubbish'. Not that he knows everything that is going on, but the two do share a lot of trust in one another. He is a very blunt and honest man, and I would take his word over this little criminal boy anyday.

Not sure what the big deal is here... I mean they are both adults. I can't even watch the news anymore without hearing about this crap. Hey, you know what else is dirty? The people next door sleep in the SAME bed! *And on tonights news... The people living next to Kratos are sleeping together!*

I watched special last night and there was issues hard to deny. He had cell phone bills with her (Abdul's) number on it in fact several times. Now its agreed judges dont decide outcome but they can influence others. They also know what would be wise to wear and sing so that would give one that edge over others. Far as believeable well based on what I saw last night some of it is meaning Abdul could be in trouble! Far as caring I dont!

It's very strange though that all of this came out right before his album was to debut. Not only that, but he has basically demanded that he be in the public eye until after the album is released. Plus the fact that he wrote a song on the cd about his "heartbreak" over Abdul entiled Paulatics or something of that nature. Please.

I thought samething when Paris Hilton sex tape came out right before debut of "Simple Life"

This is just entertainment, people. No big deal. No one won the competition unfairly, he was even disqualified anyway. I just don't see why this has any importance.

Even if she did have an affair, it didn't violate FDA regulations since this show is considered "entertainment", not a "game show competition". (Celebrity Justice discussed this issue on our local radio station.)

Maybe it was a poor choice on Paula's part, but I see no harm done.

Just heard the message she left for him:

(in regards to their supposed affair, apparently):

(this is what I remember, not exact, but close enough)

"Hi. It's Paula. Call me back. If the press call you say absolutely nothing. Thats all you have to do."