vashti1999
05-03-2005, 11:22 AM
New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Former 'Idol' contestant defends Abdul
BY RICHARD HUFF
DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005
On the eve of what's billed as a blockbuster exposé by ABC News, a former "American Idol" contestant is saying judge Paula Abdul would never "sabotage" the hit show.
Carmen Rasmusen, who was on the second season of "American Idol" along with Corey Clark, whose allegations of backstage wrongdoing and of an affair with Abdul have rocked the show, said she doesn't believe the chatter.
"I just do not see Paula Abdul as a person who would try to sabotage 'American Idol,'" Rasmusen said of talk that Abdul coaches her favorite contestants. "I do not see Paula doing something that stupid that would hurt her image and hurt the show as well."
Clark, who was booted from the show after producers learned he faced charges of beating his sister - he later pleaded guilty to "obstructing legal process" - is said to be shopping a book proposal with nasty allegations against Abdul and the producers.
Clark's story is believed to be a part of an ABC News "Primetime Live" report airing tomorrow. An ABC News spokesman had no comment yesterday. Fox officials were also staying mum about the upcoming report.
Rasmusen, however, shot down Clark's claims of special treatment. "I never felt [Abdul] was favoring one person over the other one," Rasmusen said. "I never saw her alone with Corey."
"I think it's pretty disingenuous of Corey to use 'American Idol' as a negative thing as his goal to get back into the limelight," Rasmusen said on her Audible.com update.
Abdul's representatives said yesterday she would not "dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response," calling him "an admitted liar and opportunist."
Former 'Idol' contestant defends Abdul
BY RICHARD HUFF
DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2005
On the eve of what's billed as a blockbuster exposé by ABC News, a former "American Idol" contestant is saying judge Paula Abdul would never "sabotage" the hit show.
Carmen Rasmusen, who was on the second season of "American Idol" along with Corey Clark, whose allegations of backstage wrongdoing and of an affair with Abdul have rocked the show, said she doesn't believe the chatter.
"I just do not see Paula Abdul as a person who would try to sabotage 'American Idol,'" Rasmusen said of talk that Abdul coaches her favorite contestants. "I do not see Paula doing something that stupid that would hurt her image and hurt the show as well."
Clark, who was booted from the show after producers learned he faced charges of beating his sister - he later pleaded guilty to "obstructing legal process" - is said to be shopping a book proposal with nasty allegations against Abdul and the producers.
Clark's story is believed to be a part of an ABC News "Primetime Live" report airing tomorrow. An ABC News spokesman had no comment yesterday. Fox officials were also staying mum about the upcoming report.
Rasmusen, however, shot down Clark's claims of special treatment. "I never felt [Abdul] was favoring one person over the other one," Rasmusen said. "I never saw her alone with Corey."
"I think it's pretty disingenuous of Corey to use 'American Idol' as a negative thing as his goal to get back into the limelight," Rasmusen said on her Audible.com update.
Abdul's representatives said yesterday she would not "dignify the false statements made by Corey Clark with a response," calling him "an admitted liar and opportunist."