Ellen DeGeneres Talks About “American Idol”

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ellen DeGeneres said, “If Simon goes, I go! I will not be there without Simon. I’ll be like a money on his back wrapped around his neck: You will not go!”

DeGeneres will be the new judge, replacing Paula Abdul, in the upcoming ninth season of hit reality show “American Idol.” She has signed a five-year contract to be the fourth judge last September, but now rumors have started going around that Cowell might leave at the end of the season, and DeGeneres might want to leave if he does.

Cowell also participated in the interview with Entertainment Weekly, and said that DeGeneres’ claim to leave if he does puts him in a tight spot. “I think right now we have to concentrate on the next season and just get through that and worry about everything else afterwards,” he said.

DeGeneres has been reviewing tapes of the auditions and will be ready to judge during Hollywood Week.