Paula Abdul: Straight Up

We love Paula Abdul. There, we said it. We think the former Laker Girlturned choreographerturned pop starturned American Idol judge is feisty, fun, and fabulous. We got the chance to have a quick chat with the multi-hyphenate recently, and while some topics were out of bounds (sorry, kids, no winner predictions and no great scoop on why Mario left the show), we learned a lot about this lovable lassincluding her big contribution to Kylie Minogues career! Out: So first? Paula Abdul [laughing]: Just dont ask about Simon! Um OK, next question [Laughs] So I hear youre working on a project for the WB. [Hesitantly] Yeah, its still Can you talk about it at all? Not yetbut I just wanted to say that WB is my favorite network, honest to God it is. What would Fox say about that? [Laughs] Well, Fox is also my favorite network. Its Fox and the WB. That goes without saying. Now, have you always known that the gays love you? Yes, I love every single gay man that loves me right back. And Ive been very supportive [of the gay community]. The only thing that bums me out is that I havent been out there performing for all my fans. Too busy doing American Idol.Its also good, too, because it brought you into a whole new generation of young people. Well, you know, though I think after this season, I think Im going to take some time and get back out there and perform. I miss it very much. American Idol has definitely brought you back into the public consciousness, yet youre not performing. Its been an amazing and strange phenomenon. Ive never been more popular in like, as far as those Q ratings go [in which celebrities are measured by how recognizable they are to television watchers], with the irony of not having any song out on the radio. But just simply based on the integrity of who I am. That lasts a lifetime you, know. But I do miss performing. But Im equally blessed, you know, Im very, very grateful for the job that I have, but hopefully Ill get a little time off. Have you been planning anything? Oh, yeah. What Ive been doing is giving Because I havent been able to put my songs out, Ive been giving them to other artists and they would get number ones off of my songs. So thats really cool. I have songs placed on many artists, like Kylie Minogue had a number one record with my song. Which song? The song called Spinning Around. That went to number one. Oh wowthats amazing! Hello! Thats my record and I wrote it. That was going to be my first single. And then when I got American Idol, I realized I couldnt go do it, and its got all my vocals on it, too, isnt that funny? I mean, its total dance jam. You need to get back out there. I know, I know. At the same time, its also a blessing that all these people know you and they dig your personality too. Oh. But if I wasnt on American Idol, uh-oh, that wouldnt be good. People would be like, Yeah, that Paula Abdul. I remember her. Now everyone knows you in a positive way because they always look at you as being positive. Even when you say something negative to a contestant, people always take it as a positive thing. I cant imagine now, if I wasnt there and how negative it might be. Were just glad that thats not the case.