Paula Abdul not returning to ‘American Idol’

The crazy train will have one significant passenger missing from the show this season. Paula Abdul has publicly announced via Twitter she is leaving American Idol. The 47-year-old singer and record producer – who has starred on the hit talent show with Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson since it began in 2002 – announced on the social networking site: “With sadness in my heart, I’ve decided not to return to American Idol.

“I’ll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day one become an international phenomenon.”

She added: “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.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that Abdul wanted $10 million—what host Ryan Seacrest got when he recently signed a new contract—a significant step up from the $2 million to $4 million a year she’d been earning. Auditions begin next week for Season 9 of American Idol, and it returns on the air in January. Kara DioGuardi, who has judged one season of the show, will be back with Simon and Randy.