Paula Abdul Admits to Kicking Simon Cowell Under ‘American Idol’ Desk
The Jennifer Hudson Reading Time: 2 minutes
Paula Abdul was a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show this week, as she chatted with the former American Idol contestant about her time as a judge on the show. She talked about how Simon Cowell has changed since the show, admitting that she used to kick him under the judges’ desk.
Paula Abdul Used to Kick Simon Cowell on American Idol
Hudson described Abdul as “the softness of it all” during American Idol. Abdul remarked that “someone had to be,” referring to Cowell’s penchant for mean comments on the talent show. Hudson asked if Cowell was tough on her, too.
“Tough on me?” Abdul responded. “I’d have spikes on my heels so I could kick him underneath the table. I mean, honest to God.”
Hudson said Cowell seems “so mellow now,” which Abdul attributed to him becoming a father. However, she emphasized that he’s “not that different.” She added that he’s “snarky as always” and “makes jokes every time I see him.”
She explained that Cowell likes to call to her as if she’s a dog. She imitated Cowell slapping his knees and saying, “Come here, Paula. Come here.”
SEE ALSO: PAULA ABDUL SAYS TWO DIFFERENT PSYCHICS PREDICTED HER ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FUTURE
Abdul Shared Her Thoughts on Hudson’s Elimination
Abdul said that “it was like the whole world was pissed” when Hudson was eliminated from American Idol in Season 3. She added that people still talk to her about it over a decade later. At the time, Abdul told Hudson that she thought “some amazing things” would happen to her.
“Remember, I said, ‘Sometimes, people that need to win, win’,” she recalled. “‘And the people that don’t need to win end up winning big time.’ And you did.”
Hudson thanked the former judge for all her encouragement. They both marveled at the fact that American Idol has been on the air for over 20 years now. As Abdul quipped, “That was like a whole grown-up ago.”
After originally airing on FOX, the show is now on ABC. Season 21 is currently airing on Sunday nights.
