Ryan Seacrest “Stunned” By Paula’s Departure

August 5, 2009 by Jeanne

If Paula Abdul had planned to quit American Idol, she definitely didn’t let co-worker, Ryan Seacrest, know about it. On his radio show this morning, he said the following: “The news stunned me last night. I was shocked… She’s a dear friend. I love her to death and am really sad that it came to fruition. I’m just bummed because we’ve worked together for so many years. It’s sad.”

I speculated that it might be a stunt to pressure the Idol bosses into giving in to her contract demands. Apparently, people are asking Ryan the same thing. He said “everyone that I’ve passed today here has asked is it true? Is it a publicity stunt? As far as I know, it’s real. At this point she’s decided to leave.”

Would he be happy if she changed her mind? “I would love that,” he said. “I think that would be fantastic for all of us. That would be great… Obviously she has her reasons for doing it and if she didn’t feel like she was getting what she needed, I understand that too.”

His message to her? “Paula, please go back to Idol,” she said. “It would mean the world to me.”

Awwww! Who knew that Ryan could be so sweet? For what it’s worth, I hope she does return to the show. It just will not be the same without her!