Skip navigation

Ex-‘Idol’ contestant
claims Abdul affair

Report: Corey Clark outlines
relationship in book proposal

American Idol Finalist Corey Clark
Michel Boutefeu / Getty Images file
Former "Idol" hopeful Corey Clark now claims he had an affair with Paula Abdul, according to the Globe magazine. Clarke reportedly is shopping around a book proposal.
Interactive
Simon says
Sometimes the best part of “American Idol” is the latest sly comment from acerbic judge Simon Cowell. Here are some of our favorites from this season.
‘American Idol’ video
  Ellen DeGeneres named new ‘Idol’ judge
Sept. 10: Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres is joining “American Idol” as the show’s fourth judge, taking Paula Abdul’s place. TODAY’s Natalie Morales reports.

By Jeannette Walls
msnbc.com
updated 7:11 p.m. ET April 28, 2005

Has Paula Abdul been judging more than the singing talents of the hopefuls on “American Idol”?

Corey Clark, a 24-year-old former contestant, is claiming that he had a “secret affair” with the 42-year-old judge from the hit show, according to the new issue of Globe magazine. Clarke reportedly is claiming that he had sex with Abdul in the guest room of her house, that she paid some of his expenses and promised to fund his career to the tune of $2 million, and that she made him vow to keep their relationship a secret. The allegations are reportedly from a book proposal that Clark has been shopping to publishers.

“[Abdul] told [Clark] she wanted to look out for him and be his ‘special friend,’” according to the Globe article. “But he claims she warned him that he couldn’t tell anyone or she’d make things very hard for him, cautioning, ‘Don’t screw me or you’ll be sorry.’” The proposal apparently also describes how Abdul once came up behind Clark, rubbed his neck, and then they began “kissing passionately and feeling each other up” as they moved to the guest bedroom.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

Clark got booted from the show after it was revealed that he faced charges of assaulting his teenage sister and clashing with police while resisting arrest.

The article also says that Clark was told that another "American Idol" contestant, Justin Guarini, "bragged about having an affair with Paula." Guarini's rep denies there was any affair.

Abdul’s spokesperson couldn't be reached for comment, but the Globe article says that Abdul “disputes the allegations contained in the book proposal.”

Separately, ABC is reportedly working on a “potentially explosive exposé” on “American Idol,” possibly about “the relationship between ‘Idol’ judges and contestants,” according to Variety magazine.

Jeannette Walls Delivers the Scoop Monday through Thursday on MSNBC.com

© 2009 msnbc.com Reprints

Sponsored links

Resource guide