An American Idol contestant infatuated with Paula Abdul enough to paint huge pictures of her has been found dead near Abdul’s home.
The body of Paula Goodspeed was discovered yesterday near Paula Abdul’s mansion in a car with a Paula Abdul-referencing license plate, next to pictures and CDs of Paula Abdul. It’s thought that Paula Goodspeed overdosed on prescription drugs, following a less successful suicide attempt near Abdul’s home earlier this year.
It’s sad news, and Goodspeed’s death might even make reality producers question their vetting process or treatment of contestants. Maybe they could just let Randy Jackson judge the next season of American Idol alone. After all, nobody can like him that much, can they?
There have been all manner of celebrity stalkers in recent years, all with varying degrees of scariness. Some are happy to draw creepy pictures of their victims, others will try to run them over on their driveway. But none have ever been willingly insulted by the object of their affections on national television.
Tragically, that happened to be the case with Paula Goodspeed, the Paula Abdul fan who yesterday killed herself close to Paula Abdul’s home. Paula Goodspeed auditioned for the fifth season of American Idol in a televised segment that now seems to be uncomfortably stuffed with warning signs…
As BBC News reports, Paula Abdul has already expressed her sadness over Goodspeed’s death:
The 30-year-old was discovered in a car alongside prescription drugs, CDs and pictures of pop star Abdul. The car was found near the singer’s home. Abdul said in a statement, released by her publicist Jeff Ballard: “I am deeply shocked and saddened at what transpired yesterday. My heart and prayers go out to her family.”
The news of Paula Goodspeed’s apparent suicide will no doubt affect Paula Abdul deeply. Every episode of American Idol these days seems to come complete with a little montage of fans telling Paula how much they love her, and this news might force her to be a little more hands-off with them in the future.
Whatever happens, though, we expect that the knock-on effect of Goodspeed’s death will be a toning down of the early American Idol stages. Simon Cowell has already been criticised in the past for his treatment of homosexuals and the disabled and so, to avoid a repeat of this sad news, we’re predicting that American Idol will cut back its attacks on the less talented audition performers in future seasons.
And what will that leave us with? Six months of David Archuleta clones. Who’d watch that?
josh says
I am not sure about your idea. Simon is in charge of the show from now on since Nigel quit. Simon wants to make the show more ‘interesting’ with more dramas and more controversies. He is a businessman trying to draw more money in (rather than a musician). BTW, if Idol can find another David Archuleta (who can actually sing), I will be an Idol fan for life.
Harold says
This article has been featured at THEWEEK.com as Best Opinion – Great piece!
Sarah says
Wow. I worry about people like her.
When he said “metal detector” I automatically thought “mental detector”.
Julian Mentat says
A TV show where you take deluded people and tell them they are worthless in front of millions. How could it possibly go wrong?
Jen says
I think its retarded that you people dont even know. run your mouths and you dont even know the truth you know its messed up. I know paula and i know she wouldnt stalk her? does my little sisster stalk hannah montana or hilary duff? that little girls obssesed with the two. No exactly. Paula was a very depresed girl and it was all becaue of the work she did for a living. she modled and got flaws pointed out to her. she ot her heart broken when she got rejected by the only women on earth she ever really liked so much. Id prob be crushed to you know its crazy. I dont know what drove her to kill herself but i know that the girls sissters are very VERY hurt that you dumb ass people have to say stupid shit lies and whatever thinknig dumb things. thanks