Out of work and off the Hollywood radar, is Paula Abdul strapped for cash? Tinseltown tattles say the “Straight Up” singer is demanding $3 million in advance to join the judges panel of Simon Cowell’s The X Factor in 2012. While Paula is eager to trade barbs with Cowell on the tube once again, she refuses to join the potential juggarnaut unless he forks over a few fistfuls of dough in advance, a National Enquirer insider claims.
“Paula really wants to reunite with Simon on his new show next year. But she thinks he needs to either put up – or shut up!” the tipster reveals.
Abdul left Idol last August after stalled contract negotiations with FOX. She was replaced by Ellen DeGeneres. Earlier this year, the star reportedly snubbed a deal to front a planned revival of the classic talent show Star Search over a salary dispute.
Cowell will leave American Idol at the end of the current season to adapt X Factor for US TV. The popular British series that catapulted international songbird Leona Lewis to fame in 2008.