Abdul May Be Absent from "American Idol" Season 9

As season 9 of the hit reality show, "American Idol," rapidly approaches, the judges and host Ryan Seacrest are in the midst of contract negotiations. However, while the New York Daily News reports that Seacrest has recently signed on for three more years with a $45 million contract, judge Paula Abdul has yet to be approached by FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment to renew her contract.

According to EW.com, season 9 auditions will commence on August 6 and if she's going to return to the show, Abdul will have to be signed on by then. Unfortunately, that is not a lot of time in the wheeling and dealing world of Hollywood.

David Sonenberg, who became Abdul's manager at the end of June, told the New York Daily News, "She's not a happy camper as a result of what's going on. She's hurt. She's angry."

Sonenberg added that it is unlikely at this point that Abdul will return to the show.

Last season saw the addition of a new female judge to the "Idol" panel – singer-songwriter Kara DioGuardi. ABC News reports that Abdul told OK! Magazine, "We tried four judges before and it doesn't work. It takes up so much time for each of us to give our opinion that it slows down the pace of the show." It looks like Abdul may have been right, just not in the way she expected.

Season 9 is set to air beginning in January 2010.