Fox's coverage of Super Bowl XLII festivities could apparently double as an American Idol broadcast.
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Idol judge Paula Abdul is in talks to perform live during Fox's Super Bowl XLII telecast on Sunday, February 3, a "tipster in close proximity to Abdul's inner circle" told TV Guide in a Thursday report.
While Fox Sports declined TV Guide's request for comment, Abdul's representative subsequently confirmed the report to E! News.
It remains to be seen if Abdul will perform prior to the game or during halftime festivities, which Fox announced last month will be headlined by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The Super Bowl halftime show would seem to be a better fit for Abdul, since it generally attracts an audience of non-football fans. Mary J. Blige and Maroon 5 are also scheduled to perform in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.
Regardless of when she sings, Abdul will have some familiar company.
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Fox tapped Idol host Ryan Seacrest to serve as the master of ceremonies for Super Bowl XLII at Arizona's University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ -- which is the hometown of Idol sixth-season champ Jordin Sparks, who will sing the national anthem prior to the game.
Not surprisingly, Super Bowl XLII will be the first in three years to air on Fox, so who better than Sparks to sing the anthem and Seacrest to helm both the pre-game hosting duties and serve as emcee during the halftime show while Abdul possibly performs.
Abdul initially gained notoriety working as a Los Angeles Lakers' Laker Girl and becoming the eventual choreographer for the group. She then went on to choreograph music videos for numerous artists, from Duran Duran and Dolly Parton to Janet Jackson and INXS.
As a pop-star in the 1980s, Abdul sang numerous hits, including "Opposites Attract," "Forever Your Girl," "Rush, Rush" and "Crazy Cool." "Opposites Attract"'s music video won Abdul a 1991 Grammy Award for best short form music video.
Abdul is currently rehearsing for the music video for a duet between her and fellow Idol judge Randy Jackson, which is slated to be the first single off his "Music Club Vol. 1" album, according to TV Guide. If Abdul does land the Super Bowl gig, TV Guide reported she would "likely use the same choreography" from the music video for her performance.
About The Author: Christopher Rocchio