I only watch because my wife has it on.
I watched the prime time interview.
There are some issues of plausibility. For example, I know here in LA everyone is pretty much used to seeing stars walking around and mostly it is no big deal. I happen to be familiar with the Sprint store that was supposedly visited by Paula and Corey and that store does get a number of celebrity visits. But still at the time, Idol was still hot and interesting, so it stretches belief just a bit to think that both of them together could walk into that Sprint store and not a single employee or anyone thinks anything about it or puts anything out on the Internet or to the tabloids?
Other similar issues are the frequent visits and supposed overnight and late night stays at her place. Are we to believe that no other contestants were unaware of these things, Corey's roommate never said anything? and that the producers, staff and security never raised any alarm.
These things are not impossible to surmount but there would need to be better explanation.
Turning to Corey's account, I found him to be quite credible (despite what I may think of him personally, his motivations ($$$) or his actions).
Additionally, his two friends seemed credible, his father seemed somewhat credible and I found his mom to be very credible. The friends claim to have met Paula and Corey at a club and witnessed certain things. Even if we discount that this proves anything lurid, just for Paula to be associating with a contestant while the contest is going on would be a serious breach or ethics.
Additionally, Corey's mom testified about her calling him at home multiple times. Again a breach of ethics.
Finally, there is the voicemail recordings which defnitely sounded like her; the phone records and other tangible evidence that he produced.
Overall it definitely looks like some impropriety was committed.
Mulan, of course Paula's relationships or any kind of relationship between two adults is no one's business and her personal business.
But in this situation, She was a judge in a contest in which he was a contestant. Prior to the round where the call in votes matter, she is alleged to have privately coached him and if true that is a serious violation of the public's trust in the show, show ethics, and the contest's integrity. Even after the point where the public's votes counted, the judges' comments may influence the public vote so again if there was a secret relationship, it was a gross impropriety.
I think and hope this is the last season for American Idol. I have a feeling it will be when the final vote comes down to Vonzell and Kari or Vonzell and Bo and Vonzell wins because the majority of the voters are black and they will vote for her.
The ratings are not as good this year as the novelty has worn off and the format is stale.
But if Fox does want to carry this show forward, the producers and some independent folks at Fox should seriously examine the evidence and take appropriate action.
If Paula did engage in any of the activity that was alleged she should definitely leave the show.
-Eduardo
