42. PAULA ABDUL FACES IDOL CONTESTANT'S ALLEGATIONS
It was the bombshell allegation that threatened to tarnish the fourth season of American Idol. Following rumors that former contestant Corey Clark — who'd been booted by producers midway through season 2 for failing to disclose a prior arrest — was shopping a memoir, on May 4, 2005, the wannabe star appeared on an ABC News special to present his claims that judge Paula Abdul had been giving him secret lessons in song selection...and carnal knowledge. While Clark produced phone bills detailing lengthy chats with Abdul, ABC's telecast — which included snippets of Clark's song ''Paula-tics'' — proved more salacious than damning.
CAREER IMPACT Minor. Abdul said the story was false and laughed off the incident during a Saturday Night Live skit, and Fox executives ordered an internal investigation that lasted more than three months. They found no ''corroborating evidence'' to back up Clark's claims. Still, Idol producers promised to beef up the show's ''non-fraternization policy.''
