Paula Abdul Talks ‘American Idol’

Entertainment Tonight spoke with ‘American Idol’ judge Paula Abdul about how tough it’s been for her to play her part when contestants get criticized or voted off. “I feel like I know these kids now,” says Paula. “It’s been such an amazing journey and such a transformation. It just breaks my heart to see their hearts broken.” As for the show’s chief critic Simon Cowell? “‘American Idol’ doesn’t work without Simon’s energy. [He's] the yin to the yang. I’ve told him, ‘You’re an extremely important part of that show.’ And he says, ‘Well, thank you, Paula, now you’re saying something sensible.’”