Paula Abdul may join a rival TV talent show following her exit from American Idol¹, according to US media reports.

美国媒体报道，Paula Abdul从American Idol退出之后，可能会参加电视智力竞赛。

Abdul had been a judge on American Idol for eight years

The star met Nigel Lythgoe, producer of hit series So You Think You Can Dance, just days after announcing her decision to quit American Idol.

Lythgoe confirmed the talks to trade paper Variety and said there was "no question" he wanted to sign Abdul.

He said he knew of nobody else with her "experience of being a dancer, of being a choreographer²（舞蹈指导） and of being a judge."

Abdul began her career as a cheerleader for the LA Lakers, before going on to choreograph³ for Janet and Michael Jackson.

She also launched her own pop career in 1989, scoring global hits with Straight Up and Opposites Attract.

Lythgoe - best known in the UK from the Pop Stars TV series - said he had not necessarily approached Abdul with an eye to her becoming a permanent judge on So You Think You Can Dance, raising the possibility that she would have a recurring⁴ role as either a guest judge or a choreographer.

However, he said it was too soon to rule out the star returning to American Idol.

"Until Idol goes on the air, there's always an opportunity for negotiation," he said, adding later: "I don't think it's a publicity⁵ stunt（宣传绝招，作秀）."

Mourning

Abdul had been a judge on American Idol for eight years, and was renowned⁶ for her over-the-top positivity, which often clashed with Simon Cowell's cantankerous⁷（脾气坏的，好争吵的）, no-nonsense attitude.

She announced her departure via Twitter on Tuesday, writing: "With sadness in my heart, I've decided⁸ not to return."

The first auditions⁹ to be held in her absence took place in Denver, Colorado, this weekend, with Victoria Beckham stepping into the vacant space（未用空间）.

Judge Kara DioGuardi wore a black dress for filming, and said she was "in mourning" for her colleague.

"She was really the heart of the show, incredibly nurturing¹⁰（养育） to the contestants（竞争者）," she said.

"She was like my best buddy¹¹ on the show," added Cowell. "And you only realise how much you miss somebody when you're not there. I am sad."

Executives at TV network Fox said they intend to find a permanent replacement¹² for Abdul before January, when the live element of the show starts broadcasting.

Peter Rice, chairman for entertainment, told a meeting of the Television Critics Association he wanted to find a judge who was "fun and energising and creates some real chemistry（缘分，火花） between the people on the panel".