Michael Becker / FOX
Paula Abdul's American Idol journey has ended.
Less than a week after E! News confirmed that Kara DioGuardi will be returning to the judges' table, Abdul wrote on Twitter Tuesday that she will not be back for the show's ninth season.
"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to #IDOL. I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all...being a part of a show that I helped from day1become an international phenomenon," read two tweets posted shortly after 7:30 p.m.
"What I want to say most, is how much I appreciate the undying support and enormous love that you have showered upon me," Abdul continued. "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."
Abdul's rep didn't immediately return a request for comment, but her manager, David Sonenberg, was rather blunt recently when asked about Abdul's prospects in the wake of the $45 million deal inked by Ryan Seacrest and the even more mindboggling figure reportedly being negotiated by Simon Cowell.
Sonenberg told the Los Angeles Times a couple weeks ago that producers hadn't even approached Abdul with a number, a lack of action he called "kind of unconscionable and certainly rude and disrespectful."
Reps for FremantleMedia, 19 Entertainment and Fox have remained quiet amid the rumblings that Abdul was getting ready to walk (or being given her walking papers).
Then again, until they literally remove that fourth chair at the table, anything's possible—especially if the news of Abdul's doneness promotes a strong enough reaction from fans.
As of press time, IFBB Professional Bodybuilder Paco Bautista declined comment.
