(source)

In an interview with NewNowNext, Paula Abdul talks about gay American Idol contestants, such as Danny Noriega and David Hernandez, George Michael, and all the other gay people in her life. 

Abdul says about Danny Noriega and David Hernandez:

“I pushed for them and fought… There’s a reason why there was never, ever a debate or argument during the Green Mile show. We were still debating, and I was being yelled at - we were going overtime - because I fought so hard for Danny and David. And I stood my ground. I said, This kid is needed – especially Danny- because he is very open about being gay. He tried out the year before, and I fought…

“Because for a lot of people, the two most vulnerable places to be are in front of a mirror or behind a microphone – and both are areas of my life I’ve had great success. So I’ve watched people who are afraid of being who they are. Like with Danny Noriega, it was so important for television, for young kids to see: Here’s a young guy, who’s very smart, very witty and beyond talented, and I wanted so bad for him to go far in this competition. I needed him, I wanted him so bad to make the top 12. It would have changed even more so…”

She also talked about working with George Michael, before he came out:

“Do you know how many people I’ve embraced and fought for them being at peace with themselves? I mean, I worked with George Michael on the most coveted Faith tour. You can’t get bigger than that. And I was so understanding and so supportive of the fact that it’s really difficult living a … not living your life truthfully, for fear that people won’t accept you.

“And it wasn’t until years afterwards that he came out - and he had the courage to walk up to me when I was eating dinner with Mike Ovitz at the Ivy - and he came up to me and said, I want to apologize; you’re one of the most talented people, and I treated you not so great. And that’s because … I was living a lie of who I was.

“And he gave me the biggest hug. And I said, For that my dear, I love you more than ever.”

And, Abdul also talks about how her four closest friends are all gay:

“My whole life … [she starts to cry again.] has been surrounded by marvelous, wonderful gay people. My best friend Jimmy right now is living with me, and he’s one of the most magnificent singers in the world. I don’t think anyone sings better than him.

“Let’s see, my four closest friends - they’re my best friends - are three gay guys and one gay woman … my whole life, my extended family has been a family of wonderful gay people.

“I’ve grown up in the business, behind-the-scenes, as a dancer choreographer - not so much as a dancer, but as a choreographer. And I’ve lost so many wonderful, dear, dear people that I trained and that toured with me. It’s been a world that I feel very, very close to. I feel that, in many ways, I’m more understood by the gay community than I am anywhere else.”