Paula Abdul On Her ‘American Idol’ Future: ‘Don’t Know What I’m Going To Do’

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American Idol,Ellen DeGeneres,Adam Lambert,Simon Cowell,Paula Abdul,Kris Allen,Dish Of Salt

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Paula Abdul is seen backstage at the ‘American Idol’ Season 8 Top 2 Performance Show held at the Nokia Theatre on May 19, 2009 in Los Angeles
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Paula Abdul donates a Guide Dog to blind American Idol contestant Scott MacIntyre and kicks-off National Guide Dog Month at Guide Dogs Of America on May 8, 2009 in Sylmar, California
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Paula Abdul arrives at Nickelodeon’s 2009 Kids’ Choice Awards at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion on March 28, 2009 in Westwood, California
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Paula Abdul and Zac Efron in the audience at the ‘American Idol’ Season 8 Top 7 Elimination Show

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FIRST PUBLISHED: May 20, 2009 5:24 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: May 20, 2009 5:43 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

“American Idol” wrapped up its last night of competition Tuesday night – but is judge Paula Abdul wrapping up her time with the FOX reality competition?

Access Hollywood.com’s Laura “Dish of Salt” Saltman caught up with Paula backstage at The Nokia Theatre following Tuesday’s showdown between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen to find out what lies ahead for the longtime “Idol” judge.

“Is this night bittersweet for you?” Laura asked. “Your contract is up and this could be your final season if you don’t re-sign.”

“My final bow? You know, we’ll see what happens,” Paula said. “They’ve welcomed me and want me to stay the duration of all the seasons. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m taking my time on this. I’ve got to explore some.”

“I am blessed and privileged to be a part of this unbelievable, talent making machine,” she added.

Paula might not know if she’ll be back for next season, but according to fellow judge Simon Cowell, everyone is expected to return to the judges table.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, during an appearance earlier this month on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” the British judge said, “I think certainly next year everyone’s going to be back.”

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