It was an infamous and widely circulated interview. Speaking in January, 2007, Paula Abdul, speaking live to a FOX affiliate about her hit show American Idol, appeared drunk.
She responded to the co-anchor's comment about some bad publicity by saying, "Any publicity is good publicity. You gotta learn to eat it up and embrace it."
She actually wasn't talking about herself. However...
The show was quickly posted on YouTube and within hours, millions of people around the nation and the world have seen her slurring words, swaying and gesturing wildly, and making odd faces.
Later that night, Paula Abdul canceled all her upcoming appearances, as friends and her spokesperson/publicist made excuses for her behavior.
It doesn't help that the story they told (below) contradicts Abdul's publicist's contention that she doesn't take medication.
Abdul Cancels AppearancesSinger-turned-"American Idol" judge Paula Abdul called off all her interviews Friday after clips of an earlier TV appearance appeared to show her drunk.
The video - in which Abdul slurs and bizarrely gesticulates - emerged on YouTube on Thursday, prompting speculation alcohol or medication were to blame.
She subsequently abandoned media engagements scheduled for Friday.
However, Abdul's spokesman Jeff Ballard insists tiredness and a minor throat infection, not inebriation, were the causes of the cancellations and earlier odd behavior.
He says, "She was exhausted. This was at the end of three days of press (interviews and appearances), and she has had cameras following her around for a reality TV show too.
"She was sitting in a room with just a camera and a mic on, and the controllers dropped the sound twice, which is why she rolled her eyes.
"She never drinks. I have known Paula Abdul since she was 13, and I have never seen her drink ever in my life. And no, she is not on any kind of medication. She was a little tired."In fact, in 2005 Abdul had revealed that she suffers from a neurological disorder that causes chronic pain and requires a weekly injection of an anti-inflammatory drug. It's best for PR people not to lie.
THE LESSON:
What can be learned from this? Getting "any publicity" isn't necessarily good publicity. Sometimes, far from it!
Careers can be lost or severely damaged instantly with bad behavior or bizarre statements - Sen. George Allen ("Makaka"), Mel Gibson (THAT word), Michael Richards (the same word), even Howard Dean ("Yeeeehah!")
If you've said something stupid. Call me. Or better yet - call BEFORE you say something stupid.
