Paula Abdul says ‘American Idol’ costar Simon Cowell permanently damaged her brain

Paula Abdul is still playfully sparring with fellow American Idol judge Simon Cowell several years after their stint on the show.

The singer and dancer has a cheeky response when asked about her time on the hit show as the only female judge opposite Cowell and Randy Jackson. “Being the only woman on the panel, I had to overcome the guy on the left of me,” Abdul told Fox News Digital. “Starts with a ‘S’ and ends with ‘imon,’ and the left side of my brain is permanently damaged with a British accent,” she joked.

“But no big deal because at least I had Randy to the right of me,” Abdul added.

Abdul was among the OG judges of the long-running reality competition, appearing on the inaugural season in 2002 — which crowned none other than then-rising music superstar Kelly Clarkson as the show’s first winner — through 2009.

In a previous interview with Entertainment Weekly, the “Opposites Attract” singer revealed she’d ‘quit eight times’ on her very first day on the judge’s panel. “I felt terrible for those kids. I would try to maintain composure in the midst of absurdity and they were completely delusional, like brilliantly delusional,” Abdul said. “But there was never a shortage of really incredible voices and raw talent. We were always able to find it, and that’s what was so exciting.”

Now in its 23rd season, the show features Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and former American Idol season 4 winner Carrie Underwood on its panel of judges. Abdul had nothing but positive things to say about Underwood’s big homecoming on the show.

“Carrie has an unbelievable advantage, having come from her humble beginning of being on the show,” Abdul said. “She was such a magnificent artist, as a contestant, and she’s gone on to have the most stellar career. She comes back, and she’s giving back as well. She’s doing a great job.”

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly’s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

Notably, Abdul’s fellow judge Cowell predicted Underwood’s big success as a singer during her stint on the show in 2005. He told the then-aspiring country star that she was “not just the girl to beat,” but the “person to beat” and added, “I will make a prediction. Not only will you win this show, you will sell more records than any other previous Idol winner.”

Revisiting that moment ahead of her return as a judge, Underwood said, “I mean, I know Simon loves me. That was a total shocker!”

American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Hulu.