Paula Abdul Criticizes "American Idol" Producers For Allowing Stalker To Audition

Paula Abdul has lashed out at the producers of American Idol, blaming the show for helping to fuel crazed fan Paula Goodspeed's obsession with the AI judge. Goodspeed committed suicide by overdosing outside of Abdul's house last month. According to Abdul, Goodspeed had been writing her "disturbing letters" for nearly 18 years, which prompted "restraining orders at times." Thus, when Goodspeed showed up to audition for Season 5 of Idol, Abdul begged the producers not to let her audition.

"I said, 'This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in.' Everyone knew. I was shaking," Abdul said. Instead, the producers did the exact opposite, letting Goodspeed audition because they wanted "entertainment value." Goodspeed showed up again in Las Vegas for the Season 6 auditions, this time following Abdul home. From there, Abdul received naked pictures of Goodspeed and letters that threatened "bodily harm." The whole ordeal ended with Goodspeed's suicide. As for why Abdul remains with the show following the producers' betrayal, Abdul said simply, "Well, I'm under contract." With the show adding a fourth judge this season, it seems like American Idol is preparing for the contract to expire as well.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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