BJT Celebrities File - Paula Abdul: Paula’s Problem
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Paula Abdul

Paula’s Problem

Even on TV, “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul comes off a bit loopy at times. So the rumor mill starts grinding every now and then.

Here may be a clue. In the June issue of Ladies’ Home Journal, the 46-year-old singer/choreographer/dancer says she was hooked on pain killers for a long time.

Last November, Ms. Abdul said the problem got so bad that she checked into the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. “I was freezing cold, then sweating hot, then chattering and in so much pain, it was excruciating,” she says. “But at my very core, I did not like existing the way I had been.

“I could have killed myself,” she said. “Withdrawal – it’s the worst thing.”

She said she first began taking painkillers for injuries dating back to her dancin’ days, a back injury at 17 and a neck injury resulting from a plane crash in ’93. (Boy, this girl gets around!)

By 2005, Ms. Abdul said she was diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, a chronic condition resulting in debilitating pain. After wearing a pain patch and taking nerve medication, she said she got “weird.” (How did she even notice?)

But now, with the help of 15 surgeries, countless spiritual seminars and yoga practice (Does everyone in California do yoga?), Paula said she’s much better.

But will life with Simon Cowell get her back on the junk? “He’s like the brother I never had—or wanted,” Ms. Abdul said. “From day one, Simon and I have had a love-hate relationship.”

We dig.