Paula Abdul Blames “American Idol” Producers For Role In Stalker Paula Goodspeed’s Suicide

“American Idol” judge Paula Abdul appeared on Barbara Walters’ Sirius XM radio show “Barbara Live!” to discuss the recent suicide of her long-time stalker, former “Idol” contestant Paula Goodspeed. (Judging from the show’s name, Babs conducts interviews while wearing a giant feather headdress and occasionally busting out with a Barry Manilow song.) Paula recalls how producers initially informed her that they were bringing on a “fan” who was “crazy about” her. When Paula discovered they meant Goodspeed, she urged them not to allow the young woman onto the show, saying:

“She had been writing disturbing letters for 17 years, almost 18 years. We had restraining orders at times.”

“I said, ‘This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in.’ Everyone knew. I was shaking.”

Paula says that producers ignored her, deciding to bring Goodspeed on the show because it would make for good TV to, in Paula’s words, cause the “Idol” judge stress. Paula explained that, at the time, Goodspeed posed less of a threat because she did not know the singer’s address and had been sending all her letters through Paula’s fan club. That would soon change, thanks to “American Idol.” After her disastrous audition, Goodspeed returned the next season in an attempt to make it onto the show and get closer to the singer. Eventually, Goodspeed [pictured below] was able to follow Paula home after one of those failed attempts at auditioning.

Goodspeed then began sending Paula naked pictures of herself and threatening to cause her “bodily harm,” adding:

“She said the only way I will serve her purpose is when I’m up in heaven being her guardian angel.”

When Barbara asked Paula why she would continue to be on “American Idol” after all this, Paula responded by saying that she is under contract. We can’t quite imagine a piece of paper keeping us from going batshit crazy on any producer who would find it funny to put us in a room with a stalker. But, then again, we’re not the one who sang a duet with a cartoon cat.

Paula Abdul Lashes Out at Idol Producers [People]