After Paula Abdul announced her intention to leave the hit reality show “American Idol,” many fans are doubting Abdul’s drama was nothing more than a publicity stunt but Ryan Seacrest, Idol’s host says otherwise.

Idol Trio: Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul & Simon Cowell

Seacrest recently revealed on his radio show last August 5th and I quote “First of all, everyone that I passed today here has asked me, ‘Is it true? Is it a publicity stunt?’ “He said, adding, “As far as I know, it’s real — at this point, she’d decided to leave.”

“So the news that Paula Abdul is leaving ‘American Idol’ stunned me last night. She’s a dear friend I love her to death and [it's] really sad that it’s come to fruition,” he said. “I’m just bummed and I think if you were to talk to Randy or Simon they’d say the same thing. It’s just sad. It bums us out.”

Seacrest also claims that he only found out about Paula Abdul’s decision to leave the show when he was having dinner Tuesday night. He made a phone call to verify if the news was true and this was he was told that Abdul is indeed leaving. Further more Seacrest isn’t ruling out the possibility that Abdul might be come back as an Idol Judge.

“I would love that,” he said. “That would be great. This week Randy, Simon, Kara and I are in Denver for auditions, and I’m sure I’ll have more to tell you.
“You hate to see this happen. I’m sure she has her reasons. Everybody sort of wondering what’s happening, but [it's] not a publicity stunt.”

For more details check MTV.com.

Alexis Cohen during an American Idol audition

Alexis Cohen, 25, from Pennsylvania, who auditioned twice in American Idol for a shot at stardom, was killed in a hit-and-run accident last Saturday. According to Cohen’s mother, Mindy Dallow, her daughter was walking to get something to eat when she was struck. Her body was later found on Bay Boulevard near Dupont Avenue around 4 a.m. She was then pronounced dead at 6:35 a.m. at the Community Medical Centre in Toms River.

Daniel Bark (left) charged of Alexis Cohen's Death speaks with his attorney, David Glassman at the Ocean County Justice Complex

Cohen was nicknamed “Glitter Girl” after auditioning in American Idol. During her Season 7 audition she proudly declared ‘I march to the beat of a different drummer.’ After being rejected twice the idol hopeful was known for her angry outbursts after the audition (see video below). Dallow claimed that her daughter was planning a third audition in June was preparing for a call-back audition.

The perpetrator, 23-year old Daniel Bark was arrested Sunday evening in Atlantic Highlands. Bark was charged with leaving the scene of the crime which killed Cohen and is expecting additional charges of aggravated manslaughter, death by auto and eluding. The Superior Court Judge Wendell E. Daniels said these complaints could be accompanied by a bail of $150,000 on top of the $35,000 bail that is holding Bark in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

According to Bark’s attorney, David Glassman, stated that Bark is on suicide watch in the County Jail. I quote “He’s having an extremely difficult time mentally coming to terms with the fact there’s an allegation that he caused a death,” Glassman said. “His family wants the victim’s family to know their heart-felt condolences go out to the victim.” During the trial, Bark was fighting back tears and said nothing other than “Yes, sir,” when the judge was asking him if he understood his rights.

Paula Abdul one of the tenured judges of the hottest reality musical competition, American Idol, may not be coming back for the ninth season according to her manager during an interview with LA Times. The manager claims that Paula was and I quote “She’s not a happy camper as a result of what’s going on. She’s hurt. She’s angry,” David Sonenberg, the “Idol” judge’s manager, told the newspaper on Friday.”

Sonenberg who became Paula Abdul’s manager just weeks ago says that he has yet to receive a proposal for Paula’s new contract. His reaction was set forth after the news that Ryan Seacrest, American Idol’s host, was offered a 45-million contract tying him up with the show for the next three years. Paula’s co-judges, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson also received offers. Cowell was heard to be in negotiations to renew his contract while Jackson is already set with the show until 2011.

Sonenberg comments that Paula’s situation was rather unusual and unnecessarily hurtful. Furthermore, he complains that it was rude and disrespectful since Fox still have not made any attempts to renew Paula’s contract.