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Abdul channels DeGeneres at ‘Divas Live’

‘Call me if you have any Simon problems,’ ex-‘Idol’ judge jokes at VH1 event

Image: Paula Abdul at VH1 Divas
Christopher Polk / Getty Images
Paula Abdul performs onstage dressed as Ellen DeGeneres during the 2009 VH1 Divas at Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York on Thursday.
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Before her days as the “nice judge” on “American Idol,” she was a professional cheerleader, scored a string of pop hits and starred in a brief but bizarre reality show.

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Access Hollywood
updated 10:11 a.m. ET Sept. 18, 2009

Paula Abdul had some fun Thursday night at VH1’s “Divas Live” when she took the stage dressed as her replacement on “American Idol.”

“Why are you all staring at me? Can’t a girl try out for a new job?” Abdul, dressed as Ellen DeGeneres in a short blonde wig and black pant suit, asked the crowd.

Not only did Abdul have DeGeneres’ look down, but she also took the stage doing a typical Ellen-style dance and made her way to a chair that resembled the talk show host’s set. But the stunt was all in good fun.

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“All kidding aside,” Abdul continued. “[I have] nothing but love for Ellen, and I wish you the best of luck and congratulations on your new gig. And call me! You gotta call me if you have any Simon problems, ’cause you know, I know him best.”

The former “Idol” judge also performed at the VH1 special at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City with a medley of her songs, including “Straight Up,” “Forever Your Girl, and “Opposites Attract.”

She opened the show saying, “I’m Paula Abdul, and this is not ‘American Idol!’”

The “Divas” special also included performances by Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, Adele, Sheryl Crow, Jordin Sparks and Kelly Clarkson.

Copyright 2009 by NBC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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