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.

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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.

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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.

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