Paula Abdul says she begged “American Idol” producers to keep her away from stalker Paula Goodspeed — who killed herself outside Abdul’s home exactly one month ago — but they let the obsessed fan audition anyway.
“She had been writing disturbing letters for 17 years, almost 18 years,” the “Straight Up” singer explained on Barbara Walters’ radio show. “We had restraining orders at times.” But until that point, Goodspeed had only made contact via her fan club.
Then, during the Season 5 audition process, when “Idol” producers told her they had a hopeful who was “crazy about” her, “I said, ‘This girl is a stalker of mine. Please do not let her in,’” Paula recalled. “Everyone knew. I was shaking.”
Yet she was ignored because of the “entertainment value” of the encounter, Paula said. Eventually, she added, Goodspeed found out where she lived by following her home from an audition — and the stalking allegedly intensified.
So why has she remained a part of the “Idol” judges’ panel? “Well, I’m under contract,” Paula said.
Sounds like that may not be the case much longer.
Angelina: Manipulative?
Brad Pitt is setting the media straight, from the New York Times on down to the tabloids. In the new Rolling Stone cover story, he says partner Angelina Jolie isn’t the media manipulator a recent Times story painted her as — and that those newsstand rags claiming the power couple fight like cats and dogs are way off.
Of the Times story, which described the way Angelina allegedly spins her own media image, the “Curious Case of Benjamin Button” star complains, “It sounded to me like the story made Angie out to be manipulative in some way.”
The story made him “defensive,” Brad says. “[They’re] talking about not only the woman I love, but one of the people on this planet who I have the greatest respect for. I think she’s as honorable as anyone I’ve ever met.”
And so much for those tabloids that are always trumpeting headlines about big Brangelina blowouts. The actor says their days of romantic conflict are over.
“Angie and I do not fight anymore,” Brad declares. “What occurred to me on this film, and also with the passing of her mother [actress Marcheline Bertrand in 2007], is that there’s going to come a time when I’m not going to get to be with this person anymore. I’m not going to get to be with my children anymore. Or friends, people I love and respect. And so, if we have a flare-up, it evaporates now.”
“I don’t want to waste time being angry at someone I love,” Brad concludes.
Sigh … dreamy and wise too.
Ruffalo Death Accidental
A suspect in the death of Scott Ruffalo, brother of actor Mark, has reportedly been released after police surmised the shooting was a self-inflicted accident.
The woman in question, Shaha Adham, left jail Tuesday night due to “insufficient evidence, per the warrant,” according to police records. Her lawyer explained to the Associated Press that she was “essentially a witness to a game of Russian Roulette,” in which the 34-year-old hairdresser ended up shooting himself in the head. Scott died in the hospital one week after the Dec. 1 incident.
“This was an accidental shooting by someone that plays with guns,” the attorney added.
What a senseless and sad loss.
Kim: Booty-ful Bride?
Kim Kardashian is ready to become Mrs. Reggie Bush. No, her quarterback boyfriend hasn’t popped the question yet. But if he did, “Of course, I would say yes!” the bootylicious socialite confides to OK!
“We are totally happy, and we have a great relationship, and it’s definitely where things are heading,” the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star explains. “But hopefully it will be a surprise!”
Ever notice how everybody who has a reality show is constantly stressing how spontaneous they are?
Kitty Raymond is an entertainment writer and astrologer. She welcomes feedback at [email protected].
