The fallout from Paula Abdul’s sudden departure from “American Idol” this week has left her fellow judges, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson, in shock. Kara is hoping Paula will still return to the hit FOX reality competition.
“I can’t get over it. Completely shocked,” Kara said Friday morning from Denver, where “Idol” is taping auditions, during an interview on KIIS FM’s “On Air with Ryan Seacrest. “It’s such a loss for the show, such a loss for the contestants.”
Kara said Paula’s absence is going to leaving a gaping hole in the show.
“She’s definitely the heart of the panel and the kind of heart she treats the contestants with she treated me with last year during the auditions,” she continued. “She was so kind to me and made me feel immediately like I was part of the panel. And I hoping she’ll reconsider.”
Kara responded to cynics, who believe Paula’s departure had something to do with the songwriter returning.
“The way I’m understanding, it was her choice to leave,” she told Ryan. “How could you ever replace [her]? She’s an incredible talent. She is somebody who helped to make the show as big as it is. And how could you ever replace that?”
Judge Randy also talked to Ryan Friday morning, saying, “We gotta try and make it work. I’m really still sad about [Paula leaving]… shocked. I can’t believe it. Sad to not have her with us. “
Despite the “Idol” judge’s table upheaval, Randy believes the road for Paula will be paved with success.
“I’m sure there’s gonna be great things out there for her,” he said.
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