While some tried to “ship” them during their time together on American Idol, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell were more like siblings behind the judging panel. The former original Idol judge revealed on The Jennifer Hudson Show how she wore a specific shoe in order to kick the resident mean judge under the table.
After the EGOT winner noted how Abdul was “the softness of it all that kept us — at least I like to think — grounded,” the “Straight Up” singer said, “Someone had to be. It wasn’t gonna be the guy to the left of me.” Hudson then asked if Cowell was equally tough on her as he was on the Idol hopefuls. Abdul revealed that she would use her wardrobe to keep him in line. “I’d have spikes on my heels so I could kick him underneath the table.” Cowell and Abdul were polar opposites on the panel for eight seasons. Alongside Randy Jackson, the trio helped build the show into the pop culture powerhouse it became. With the occasional reunion popping up over the years, it fulfills the nostalgia of the iconic era of reality television.
Paula Abdul on ‘Idol,’ Simon Cowell, and the Psychic Who Saw It Coming
Abdul reflected with Hudson about the legacy that American Idol has had, as well as how it impacted her career during her. For eight seasons, Abdul was a crucial part of helping future stars emerge. During the Abdul-Cowell-Jackson era, American Idol produced some of the biggest names in music today. From Kelly Clarkson to Carrie Underwood, with Adam Lambert in between, one big reason viewers tuned in twice a week was the dynamic behind the judges’ table. With years removed from those historic days, Abdul shared with Hudson how Cowell had changed. She credits fatherhood for mellowing the once-resident mean judge. “He’s different. Not that different, though,” Abdul joked during the appearance. “He’s snarky as always. … He still makes jokes every time I see him. He goes, ‘Come here, Paula! Come here!’ Like how I would say to my Chihuahua.”
Abdul confirmed a story about how a psychic predicted her star turn on the singing series. “She proceeded to tell me that I’m going to be doing a television show, like a talent show. And I was like, ‘What?’ I mean, my only reference had been Star Search from decades ago. I’m like, ‘I’m not doing that.’ She goes, ‘Honey, you willed it to happen. It’s happening. You’re doing it.’” The psychic also revealed that her costars would be someone from across the pond who would be a “thorn” in her side and someone she already knew whose name began with the letter R. Similarly, the two discussed the most shocking elimination in American Idol history, and how Abdul predicted a big career for Hudson soon thereafter.
How ‘American Idol’ Molded Reality TV Judging Panels
The trio has seldom reunited, but when they do, they maintain the legacy they established. During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Cowell shared, “It does make me think, if I had one wish, it’d be to make another show with us again. That would be my number 1 wish.” The trio created magic on screen that has impacted reality television forever. When American Idol kicked off in 2002, the draw was the nationwide search for the next singing sensation. Before they discovered Clarkson during Season 1, the trio of judges became the first stars of the show.
Bringing three different universes of experiences in the music industry, they brought a specific energy to the judging panel that became the blueprint for future talent competition shows. Paula was the nice judge, Simon was the mean judge, and Randy was the man who brought “dawg” into the reality TV lexicon. When future shows built upon their judging panels, there was always a judge who fit those necessary archetypes. Over the years, shows have veered off the critical and onto something a bit softer. Even on America’s Got Talent, Cowell and Mel B have traded mean judge spots. Had it not been for that brother-sister bond that Cowell and Abdul established, perhaps the landscape of talent shows might look drastically different today. We have Paula Abdul’s spiked heels to thank!
American Idol is available to stream on Hulu.
