Paula Abdul Still Can't Catch A Break, Drug Use Resurface

Date: 04/24/09 | By Singersroom News
Filed under: R&B News, Paula Abdul

Paula Abdul It seems that people are still not convinced that Paula Abdul’s red cup is filled with a non-alcoholic beverage. To add fire to the pot, the American Idol judge says that her biggest mistake was agreeing to star in a reality show, which did nothing but spread false rumors of alcohol and prescription drug abuse.

"I've never been addicted to any prescription drugs. I've never been drunk. I've worked my whole life," Abdul told Nightline. Despite undergoing 15 surgeries since a neck injury in 1992, Abdul said she has never taken addictive painkillers.

"I will not take those drugs," Abdul said. "And you can check my medical records. There is nothing like that. I was never on Oxycontin or Vicodin or anything like that. I was on nerve medicine and anti-inflammatories."

Last week Abdul thickened the controversy after she denied ABC permission to speak to one of her doctors and "check her medical records."

Four years ago, former "Idol" contestant Cory Clark emerged with a shocking allegation. He claimed that he and Paula had had an affair, a charge she denied and the show dismissed after an investigation. But it was the start of a difficult time for her. A few months later, rumors of Abdul drinking on "Idol" surfaced.

But rumors of drinking or prescription drug abuse persisted when a year and half later Abdul's reality show, "Hey Paula," hit the airwaves. Abdul's behavior often seemed erratic and odd.

"I honestly think it was the biggest mistake," she said about appearing in her own reality show. "It was about celebrating all the many hats that I wore that you don't see on 'American Idol.' It all changed.