Abdul sobs on
tape, complains of unfair treatment

In an audio tape obtained by the New York Post's Page Six, American Idol judge and pop star Paula Abdul is caught having a meltdown during a recent conference call.

Abdul, who appears to be talking to a group of publicists, insults her former publicity rep, Howard Bragman. She states that Bragman did not appreciate her enough explaining, "I do a call-in every week for OK! magazine on American Idol. Because of my brilliant job, they want to do a cover on me. I'm being told by Howard Bragman that I'm too old and no one will ever want to do a cover.

"Howard Bragman on Monday--he did some disgusting behavior. I had to go to Jimmy Kimmel with no publicist there," Abdul is heard saying through choked sobs. "I go on with no publicist there and I pay this man...

"I don't understand how this man can call me a whining bitch. I've never in my life been called a whining bitch and a loser."

Abdul also says on the tape that she has been diagnosed with the rare adrenal disorder Addison's disease. According to the Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Information Service, symptoms of this affliction include unhealthy weight loss, chronic fatigue, depression, and irritability.

Abdul explains that she is fed up with the terrible treatment she receives from the "people who are supposed to be taking care of things."

She complains on the tape, "I've never been treated this way and I've never seen anybody treated this way. This is just too much to stomach." Abdul is comforted on tape by her companions, one of whom says, "You will be treated better starting right now."

"I'm being tested," she bemoans. "All I've ever wanted in my life is to be treated fairly and be treated with kindness. And I've never in my entire career been treated this way. The people who are supposed to take care of these things do not. I have to clean up after them everywhere they go. And I'm tired of it."

When Page Six asked Bragman why he stopped working with Abdul, he said, "I'm not going into it," and added, "I'll stand by my reputation if she'll stand by hers." (The Advocate)