This is a tragedy, but looking at it from the outside in, it sounds like she had an obsession with Paula and may have been stalking her, hence committing suicide in front of Abdul's house.

I hope Idol takes note of cases like this - they made fun of her of the show and the judges made her feel awful. It was probably obvious from the beginning that her audition would be awful and only put her through to make audiences laugh at her more.

I know that is kind of the mission statement of this site, to point out the absurdity of seeking a talented singer by allowing untalented singers to sing to national audiences.

Do I think American Idol caused this girl's death? No, but they sure look like the douchebags we've always known they were.

This gal was bonkers. Lesson learned for Idol, be careful who you mock.

All kidding aside, its a very sad tragedy and I pray for her loved ones, but this gal obviously needed some help that she didn't get. It's terrible that a person's obsessions and delusions can lead to this.

Part of me feels bad for Paula Abdul, but this tragedy will most likely give Paula an excuse to get highly intoxicated.

I know, I'm cruel.

If it makes you feel any less cruel, the first thing I thought of when I read this was "too bad it wasn't the other Paula who died."

:P

It's a sad commentary on society that a top-rated show (yeah, I know we can debate "top-rated" relies on humiliation of and cruelty to those who are different to pull viewers in. The way the "bush baby" and some of the people who clearly have mental/psychological problems have been treated is terrible. It's one thing to pick on plants or everyday run of the mill people who truly have no talent, but when you put someone who obviously has mental problems up in front of the camera and humiliate them on national television, what do you expect to happen? They can argue all they want about having their contestants sign waivers. Waivers won't hold up in court if there is evidence: (1) that the person was so mentally ill or incapacitated at the time they signed it that they didn't have mental capacity to sign a legal document; and (2) that any reasonable person either knew or should have known that the person lacked the capacity to sign. I'd like to see some lawlers file a law suite over this issue - maybe this particular woman wouldn't be the right type of plaintiff, but if it continues the right one will come along. Hell - if I was licensed to practice law in California or whatever state she auditioned in, I'd take this kind of case in a heartbeat.

Apparently there's going to be something on The O'Reilly Factor about this tonight. That should be interesting...I guess.