Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham might be excited and thrilled at being asked to appear as a guest judge on the new season of American Idol, but the fans sure aren’t, with the former Spice Girl’s debut on the show being labeled as “icy” and “wooden.”

“It didn’t go too well,” a source close to the production said of Beckham’s first day on set.

“She tried too hard to be ‘nice,’ but came off as icy and wooden,” added the source.

Posh was apparently being tested as a possible replacement for axed judge Paula Abdul, but with the feedback from the crowd being this awful, it isn’t looking likely that Beckham will be around permanently.

Her contract was initially only for one episode, anyway, as Posh allegedly turned down a meatier role on the reality show in order to further her career in the fashion industry.

[Source]

It’s only been a day since Paula Abdul’s shock announcement – via Twitter – that she would not be a part of American Idol any longer, but already the show’s producers have been scouting the who’s-who of muso has-beens for a suitable replacement… and found one, they have.

Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, has just signed on to make a “one-off appearance” on the U.S. version of Idol, her publicisty has confirmed.

The former Spice Girl will join fellow judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi on the panel in the latest season of the hit reality show, which will begin shooting in the coming months.

However, while the role as judge on the show would definitely be the platform Beckham was hoping for to shoot her into American stardom, the British National has told the producers she “cannot commit” to anything larger than a guest role due to prior committments to her fashion range.

Beckham is well-renowned in the fashion world after her debut collection of dresses received rave reviews during 2008’s New York Fashion Week.

So if Beckham is only going to be a temporary replacement for Abdul, does this mean the newest season of American Idol will see a myriad guest judges instead of a constant paternal figure, like the former was to the contestants?

[Source]

Paula Abdul’s Idol journey is officially over, with the longtime reality judge announcing her termination from the show on her Twitter feed.

Abdul, who has been with American Idol since its creation, said that she had made the decision to leave, but would miss the show terrribly and was grateful for all the love and support she had received over the years.

“With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to ‘Idol,’” her Tweet read. “I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent,but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from Day 1 become an international phenomenon… What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me… It truly has been breathtaking, especially over the past month… I do without any doubt have the BEST fans in the entire world and I love you all.”

Although Abdul hadn’t made it official with the show’s producers, a joint statement from Fox, FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment – the brawn behind Idol – confirmed that the former performing artist would not be returning the for the show’s ninth cycle.

The statement read: “Paula Abdul has been an important part of the ‘American Idol’ family over the last eight seasons, and we are saddened that she has decided not to return to the show. While Paula will not be continuing with us, she’s a tremendous talent and we wish her the best.”

Apparently, Abdul was demanding $20 million to stick with the reality show. She rejected an offer of a 30 % pay increase, which would have seen the onetime singer pocket an eight-figure sum in a multiyear deal.

[Source]

While everyone is busy dissing singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson for ripping off a Beyonce Knowles song, the American Idol winner has gone on Canadian radio to insist that she didn’t steal anything – not intentionally, anyway.

Clarkson’s track, Already Gone, sounds surprisingly similar to Beyonce’s 2009 hit, Halo, and if you’d thought that the two songs were almost identical you’d be forgiven, because they are.

Exactly the same, in fact.

And Clarkson knew this before her record, All I Ever Wanted, had been shipped.

So why should we feel sorry for the onetime reality television contestant? Because her co-writer, Ryan Tedder, gave both Clarkson and Knowles the same backing track to work with, without informing either singer of this fact.

Clarkson said: “It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over. I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a s*****y situation, but… you know, you learn.”

According to Clarkson, when she heard how similar Beyonce’s track was to hers, so “fought and fought” to stop Already Gone from hitting the airwaves, but “in the end, [the record company is] releasing it without my consent.”

The two-time Grammy award winner said she was outraged when she found out what Tedder had done, and confronted him over the phone, saying, “I don’t understand. Why would you do that?”

Clarkson added: “[I said to Tedder] no one’s gonna be sitting at home, thinking ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyonce and Kelly the same track to write to.’ No, they’re just gonna be saying I ripped someone off.”

Which is exactly what they’re saying.

To hear for yourself just how similar the two tracks really are, check out Clarkson’s Already Gone and Beyonce’s Halo.

[Source]

Simon Cowell has made it known to the powers that be that he wants co-judge Paula Abdul back on American Idol for season 8.

It was announced yesterday by Abdul’s manager that it was “unlikely” the former singer would be renewing her contract with the FOX network reality show; however, both Cowell and host Ryan Seacrest have said Paula will be back.

“She’ll be fine. She’ll be on the show,” Cowell told Extra on Monday. “I don’t get a lot of say. I’ve just made it clear that I want Paula on the show. Full stop.”

Host Seacrest said: “I think as far as I know you’ll see everybody back. I hope so.”

Word on the street is that Abdul’s contract has yet to be renewed because of on-going talks regarding money issues. Apparently, since both Seacrest and Cowell have received massive pay increases for the coming season, Abdul’s singing out for more money as well – $20 million, to be exact.

[Source]

The latest season of American Idol may have been Paula Abdul’s last, with the reality television judge’s manager revealing that she may not be returning to the hit series.

At this point in time, Abdul’s manager David Sonenberg says it “doesn’t appear” Paula will be back, as there has been no proposal for a new contract sent for his perusal.

Earlier in the year, Kevin Reilly – the Fox entertainment president – said that Abdul was “an integral part of the show.” However, with auditions for the new season of Idol starting later this month, it’s looking highly unlikely that Abdul will be back for another series.

Other Idol stalwarts Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest are already on board, with both Cowell and Seacrest snagging substantial pay rises with their new contracts.

[Source]

Simon Cowell’s American Idol contract is up, and the infamously snarky judge wants more than last year’s $36 million to stick with the series – so Fox has reportedly offered the British national a whopping $144 million per year!

Contract negotiations between Cowell and Fox’s co-producers has been leaked to the press, and the figures involved – a sum too great to comprehend for most of us – are believed to be 100 % accurate.

Fox has declined to comment about the salary negotiations, but a source close to the Idol set has revealed that the sum Cowell is expected to receive is “only a fraction” of the estimated $900 million that the reality television show rakes in yearly. The source labeled Cowell as the “lynchpin of the show,” and said that without his “dramatic tension” with fellow judge Paula Abdul, Idol wouldn’t be the hit it is today.

“[Cowell is] due for a raise,” the source added.

Cowell’s current contract with the Fox-produced reality show expires in May next year.

[Source]

Watch the following video from American Idol and you be the judge.